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
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Recent Examples of principal
Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Currently the district’s director of teaching and learning, Jacobson has held several administrative roles in the district, including serving as a principal at junior high and middle school campuses.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
In 1985, the Los Angeles Philharmonic let his contract as principal guest conductor and artistic director of the summer training institute expire for less-than-diplomatic relations with management.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
Khedarrion was making major strides in kindergarten, Burton said, and had recently been praised by his principal at Summer Grove Elementary School for his progress in literacy since the start of the school year.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Currently the district’s director of teaching and learning, Jacobson has held several administrative roles in the district, including serving as a principal at junior high and middle school campuses.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The film, announced in 2022 and delayed by the 2023 strikes, had finally begun production in January 2024 and principal photography had wrapped a few months later.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
In 1985, the Los Angeles Philharmonic let his contract as principal guest conductor and artistic director of the summer training institute expire for less-than-diplomatic relations with management.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Three main risks should worry Congress, the courts and every American about the rapid rise of these markets.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Surges can sometimes indicate an underlying wiring issue or a problem with your main breaker.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Also in attendance were NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Google.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Beauty as chief financial officer at just 35, Mandy Fields knows a little something about defying limits.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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By reducing interfacial resistance and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites, the technology addresses a primary mechanical barrier to the commercial use of lithium metal anodes.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
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First District voters will choose a Republican candidate in the May 5 primary election.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Dhawan is considered one of India’s foremost filmmakers in the comedy genre.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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One of the nation's foremost civic reenactment organizations and historical societies, the Lexington Minute Men represent the original colonial militia who fought in the first battle of the American Revolution.—
Eric Fisher,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Few materials feel so commanding and permanent as concrete.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
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On Monday night, the Magic stunned the Pistons in Central Florida to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Habeas petitions have become the predominant path for immigrants seeking release from detention.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Besides Paisley Park, the second most predominant setting in her life with Prince is Marbella, Spain.—
Darío Gael Blanco,
Vanity Fair,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In a sign of supreme confidence, management raised full-year capex guidance to as much as $190 billion — a jaw-dropping figure that signals Alphabet is playing for generational dominance, not quarterly optics.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking over as supreme leader following the killing of his father in the war’s opening airstrikes.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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