Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for principal. Search instead for principal/4.
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.

It was acting principal Fergal Friel who described their use by children as school's most serous issue in years.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Easter, the principal holiday of the Christian church, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Actor James Tolkan, known for his role as the Hill Valley High principal in “Back to the Future” and the no-nonsense commanding officer in “Top Gun” has died.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Musk, OpenAI’s then principal financial supporter, had asked Brockman and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever to make a spreadsheet listing every employee and what important contribution they had made—a classically Muskian precursor to staff cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

I squeaked when the principal sat down again.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.