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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of principal
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Logan first learned about TKS from an assistant principal at his school.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 10 July 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 July 2025
The principal residence boasts 360-degree views of the mountains and ocean.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
The profoundly positive kicker: At maturity, the investor would make a choice—get the principal back in dollars or in gold.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Logan first learned about TKS from an assistant principal at his school.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
The film is in pre-production, with principal photography planned for this fall in Texas and New Mexico.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 July 2025
The principal residence boasts 360-degree views of the mountains and ocean.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
-
Afterward, see a star dedication and live performances by Mr. Southern Soul Bigg Robb & Friends, Regina Belle and Dottie Peoples.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
But, the star of the show is a first-of-its-kind Alumni Home Run Derby following the Brewers/Marlins matchup.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The tournament grounds feature three main retail sites: the Centre Court Shop, the No. 1 Court Shop and the Museum Shop, along with five express shops and an additional nine kiosks.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Atrium Ljungberg, White Arkitekter A huge, new city is being built in Sweden, but it’s not being constructed using steel or concrete — its main building material is wood.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s chief people officer, leads human resources at the company.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Which brings us to one of the big reasons that Ferbert — then chief deputy city attorney — won in her 2024 run for city attorney.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
No, corn sweat is not the primary cause behind the heat wave Cincinnati is experiencing this week.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Just as Russia has declined in its military might since the break-up of the Soviet Union a generation ago, Grossfeld says, its status as one of the globe’s foremost space powers has likewise slipped away.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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But all that nuttiness took place a long time ago, under the influence, and, according to the world’s foremost Ozzy authority, such is not really the case.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The Sox scored four in the fourth to take a commanding 9-0 lead.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
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And that one draw was only because two days were lost to rain at Old Trafford in Manchester when England were in a commanding position at a pivotal stage of the most recent Ashes series against Australia two years ago.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
-
Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.—
Anjana Rajbhandary,
Outside Online,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
The most immediate threat to the land of dreams was, of course, none other than the supreme leader himself, whose decision to spill family blood by mercifully killing his only son, Orpheus (Ruairi O’Connor), drew the ire of a trio of goddesses known as the Furies.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
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And the current overwhelming, supreme U.S. power in orbit, with advanced imaging, intelligence and nuclear command and control satellites, makes its ever-expanding constellations attractive targets.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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