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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chief
highest in rank or authority the principal researcher in the company's chemical division

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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
Also named in the suit is Daval Express, the company that co-owns the van, and David Maasen, the principal of the company. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Rimac said that in the age of artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and EVs, the guiding principal for Bugatti will be the human factor. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The next step is demonstrating consistent color removal and fiber-quality retention at larger scale, with chemical consumption, wastewater quality and process control among the principal scale-up considerations. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 For Venezuelans who had come to see Colombia as their principal refuge, however, the significance goes beyond another change in immigration enforcement. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 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
  • Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, every living president, Jane Fonda, and countless more have all mourned the beloved star.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The late star had also been a co-owner of Sandollar Productions alongside her former manager, Sandy Gallin, which produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Father of the Bride and Sabrina, among others.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of star
Adjective
  • The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In light of the strong growth and inflation figures, the BOK would likely need to continue to raise rates, albeit with some caution, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After years of analysis, Caltrans has decided to weave strong micropiles into the 499 aging piles that now support the bridge’s piers, said Allan Kosup, chief deputy director of Caltrans District 11 in San Diego and Imperial counties.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of chief
Adjective
  • In 2025, Kelley told PEOPLE exclusively that his wife was his primary motivation for pursuing sobriety.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Fields and Mooney, who should take Austin’s place as the primary slot receiver, will be the other starters.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The promise of Roman Imaging huge amounts of the universe in one go is of foremost importance because things in the universe happen simultaneously.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Alanna Rizzo is one of the foremost authorities on Major League Baseball.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Kirkwood had a commanding lead before Palou's spin caused a caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Adrián Marín set up the play with his pass to Tiago as Orlando took what seemed to be a commanding lead in the second half.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of commanding
Adjective
  • His once-dominant bat has gone quiet, leading to significant fan frustration, including boos at home games despite his excellent defense.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, Americans sipped one dominant style of beer, a light lager, sold by big breweries such as Coors and Anheuser-Busch.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominant

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principal
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Cite this Entry

“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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