principal 1 of 2

noun

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
Definition of principalnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

principal

2 of 2

adjective

ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl How to pronounce principal (audio)
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of principal
Noun
Zaha Hadid Architects principal Patrik Schumacher likens the collection’s élan with that achieved by the masterpieces of Michelangelo and the Renaissance, but reimagined for the 21st century. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Eighty-six percent of family-office principals and senior executives are including crypto in their investment strategies. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Scott Cheney, a Utah assistant attorney general who serves as her principal legal adviser on elections, was out of the country. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 The two largest parties are Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and Yashar, a new centrist party led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff who has emerged as his principal challenger. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for principal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principal
  1. star
  2. main
  3. chief
  4. primary
  5. foremost
  6. predominant
  7. commanding
  8. dominant
Noun
  • Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The former Cowboys star motioned to the drivers of the vehicles to tell them to slow down, and that’s when the dispute began.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of star
Adjective
  • The kingdom partially resumed operations at its main airport on Sunday despite damage from earlier attacks, even as the Houthis threatened further strikes.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The project will also improve sewer main capacity by upsizing a parallel line.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The network known as Fairshake spent $40 million in 2024 to unseat Brown, then the Senate Banking Committee chair; after Brown lost, crypto antagonist-in-chief Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts replaced him as the panel’s top Democrat.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The debate was moderated by chief political anchor Dennis House and anchor Kathryn Hauser, while CCM’s executive director, Joe DeLong, also asked questions on the panel.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • The Heat used Larsson, Portis, Hardaway and Nikola Jovic as its four primary reserves for the third straight game to start the season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • One thing most agree on is that the diminishment of competitive seats leads to greater polarization because legislators are only beholden to primary voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The bigger problem, explained one of the world’s foremost experts on longevity, is timing.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • What readers are saying The conversation explores the complex dynamics between small-scale and industrial agriculture, with a predominant focus on the challenges and implications of each approach.
    — Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The predominant method entails producers sealing off the vents, which causes temperatures to rise and slowly subject the birds to death via heatstroke.
    — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Wembanyama, for his part, is eager to become a more commanding voice on the defensive end.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, Anya Taylor-Joy has a real commanding quality, much like Sami Slimane had in Athena.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of commanding
Adjective
  • The shift signals a turning point for the left, which has historically struggled to counter the far-right’s dominant online presence and savvy digital strategy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • And, like its former parent, higher fuel costs will be a dominant theme throughout the report.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of dominant

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Cite this Entry

“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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