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
-
Before heading into Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena for the official kick-off of the show, the Miss Americana star received a white rose from a young Swiftie.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Bravo is getting ready to have a group of The Real Housewives stars check in to the Love Hotel.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The provision will overburden the already congested main runway at DCA and, as shown by a recent near-collision at the airport, increase the risk of a serious accident there.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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The sanctuary room will be the center’s main attraction and is expected to bring in around 175 to 250 people on the first Sunday of the month, when the largest meetings are scheduled to take place.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Keim’s chief concern, understandably, was the Leland Burns House, which Moore designed in 1972, and which the foundation maintains.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Pepper the mini chocolate dachshund was also sworn in as the mayor's chief deputy.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Principal among the current level of uncertainty is the impact that tariff negotiations between the U.S. and its primary trading partners will have.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
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In 2022 the sheriff’s office allocated $50,000 from its budget for software to aid in the inquiry, the sheriff’s office said, and several detectives conducted 24/7 surveillance of ballot boxes in the lead-up to the 2022 primary election.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the world's foremost innovators in the undersung art of nail shapes, Cardi B, just debuted a manicure that defies geometric convention on the 2025 Grammys red carpet.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2025
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Narrowing participation There are a number of programs researchers are worried about, foremost among them efforts that funding agencies have made to draw underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, into the STEM fields.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near principal
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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