as in star
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
my cousin is one of the principals in a new sitcom this fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
our principal reason for coming here today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
the principal researcher in the company's chemical division
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of principal
Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
Mardi Gras is truly a global phenomenon and every celebration is different, even if they are all tied to the liturgical calendar and the same principal of wild revelry.
—Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Nate Jones, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
As one of today’s principal architects of R&B, what’s your take on the state of the genre in 2025?
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for principal 
Noun
Paula Cook, the school’s principal, said grief counseling would be made available to students this week in a message to families.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
Mardi Gras is truly a global phenomenon and every celebration is different, even if they are all tied to the liturgical calendar and the same principal of wild revelry.
—Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
But her partner that night was Denis Villeneuve, not Guadagnino, which speaks to a unique hurdle faced by the tennis drama: Its principal players were all juggling multiple projects.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
As one of today’s principal architects of R&B, what’s your take on the state of the genre in 2025?
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
-
The reality star from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just shared her favorite winter fashion finds during an Amazon Live.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
-
If not, the San Francisco Giants are another top suitor who could swoop in and steal the star from New York.—
Zach Pressnell,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The airport's main runway is the single-busiest runway in the country.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
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Investigators say Diaz was used to catch his main supplier, 33-year-old Anthony Medina.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Education Secretary Denise Carter, the acting chief operating officer at Federal Student Aid, has been tapped as acting education secretary.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
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Trump and Vance Released Their Official Inaugural Portraits Last Week 4 hours ago Ahead of their swearing-in ceremony, Trump and Vance released their official portraits, taken by Trump’s chief photographer, Daniel Torok.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
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This surge in prices has been identified as a primary factor in the sales decline, along with escalating mortgage rates.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Sophie Alcorn,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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The evening will be hosted by Young, and will feature readings from some of the foremost poetic voices in America.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Post dropped 20 points in a commanding win over the Bulls, outplaying the stretch-five prototype Nikola Vucevic on the other side.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
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This cruiser sports a fierce design, more power, and a commanding presence.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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Still, the predominant thought was his interview was a push by the Bears to fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule as the team positions itself to make a head coaching hire.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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California's State Constitution very clearly says the the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
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Makeup lovers will appreciate this iconic Inglot formula that still reigns supreme—a true rite of passage for any professional makeup artist.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near principal
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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