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Definitions

principal

[prin-suh-puhl] / ˈprɪn sə pəl /
ADJECTIVE
most important
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dominant key leading main major outstanding paramount predominant preeminent primary prime prominent
STRONG
arch capital cardinal champion chief essential first head maximum premier sovereign star superior
WEAK
controlling crowning foremost greatest highest incomparable mainline matchless peerless prevailing second to none stellar strongest supereminent supreme transcendent unapproachable unequaled unparalleled unrivaled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inconspicuous inessential inferior insignificant last lesser minor nonessential ordinary secondary subordinate trivial unimportant unknown
STRONG
auxiliary least lower poor
WEAK
extra
NOUN
person in charge of organization, often an educational one
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrator boss chief dean director superintendent
STRONG
exec head lead leader preceptor protagonist rector ruler star
WEAK
key player
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee worker
STRONG
commoner follower
WEAK
interest
NOUN
original amount of property either owned or owed
Synonyms
STRONG
assets capital money
WEAK
capital funds
Antonyms
WEAK
interest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The President is optimistic that a deal can be reached that can lead to lasting peace in the Middle East," Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“Customers will be demanding a change from the current models for sure. I do think that revenue models will be challenged,” said Kathy Kay, executive vice president and chief information officer of Principal Financial Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“Neither Meta nor YouTube is going to do anything different until a court orders them to, or there’s a significant drop in user or advertiser use,” said Max Willens, Principal Analyst at eMarketer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

“I often see retirees feeling pressure to live the retirement they think they should be living,” says Heather Winston, assistant vice president at Principal Financial Group.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

There was a low, embarrassed rumbling of “Yes, Principal Wombat” through the students, which was good enough for her.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Vocabulary lists containing principal

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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

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