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
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Although dozens of campuses across the district have had new principals every couple years, Licata and his staff believe this new round of hires at many of the district’s most struggling schools will be the start of major stability.
—Samuel O’Neal June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
Samuel O’Neal June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
The principal rooms—including the library, formal dining room, and drawing room—are oriented toward the water, making the most of the dramatic coastal vistas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Noun
In April 2022, the ICCPUD principals approved moving forward with the Alcohol Intake and Health Study.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Although dozens of campuses across the district have had new principals every couple years, Licata and his staff believe this new round of hires at many of the district’s most struggling schools will be the start of major stability.
—Samuel O’Neal June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
Adjective
Licata said the process for principal selections included evaluating data, test scores, an intense interview process and classroom walkthroughs.
—Samuel O’Neal June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
The principal rooms—including the library, formal dining room, and drawing room—are oriented toward the water, making the most of the dramatic coastal vistas.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
Noun
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The winners would get their photo taken alongside a Barca star for a charity calendar benefiting UNICEF.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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Panama is now best known for producing Major League Baseball stars, with legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera standing head and shoulders above the long list of Panamanians who have graced an American ballpark.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Patrick was addressing attendees of the Republican Party of Texas’ state convention in Houston from the event’s main stage.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
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Reuters — Hungary’s main opposition Fidesz party re-elected former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as its leader on Saturday for another year despite the party’s loss of power in an April 12 election to the center-right Tisza party.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Whoop's co-founders spearheaded the computer science and mechanical engineering elements, with Nicolae becoming chief hardware engineer.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Blair Baek,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
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Amazon initially reserved launches on all of the West’s commercially available heavy-lift rockets except those from SpaceX, which owns Starlink, Amazon Leo’s chief competitor.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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These powerful systems are well-suited for developing and tuning edge models and agents, but are not primary robotics deployment platforms.—
Bill Curtis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Other highlights include a gym and a plush primary suite flaunting a stainless-steel fireplace.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Construction began in 2006 after a competition that attracted some of the world’s foremost architectural firms and months of debate over whether to rebuild where thousands were killed in the 9/11 attacks.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Sheku’s universal appeal, which reaches far beyond traditional classical audiences, combined with his credibility as one of the world’s foremost cellists, makes this a unique acquisition for us.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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American resumes flights American Airlines, the predominant carrier at Miami International Airport, resumed its service to Venezuela between Miami and Caracas in late April after a multi-year hiatus.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
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During the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Busch was honored on the 18th lap of the race, 18 being the predominant number on his stock car.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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Starting Towns as the focal point in an attempt to take a commanding 3-1 lead was the right choice considering the team’s postseason success coinciding with his own success.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
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Laurie will play Control, the fiendish and commanding head of The Circus, Smiley’s morally fickle superior, known only by his code name.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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When the Phoenix Mercury started chipping away at the Valkyries’ 18-point lead, threatening to turn a dominant night into a late-game nightmare, Golden State had a simple answer.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
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The exhibition challenges audiences to excavate layers of meaning behind these visual documents to reveal the myriad stories muted by a dominant colonial narrative.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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