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Showing results for principal.
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.

“Whether that marks the start of a rebalancing, or early anticipation of de-escalation, will be the key question for the sector in the weeks ahead,” said Kenneth Lamont, a principal at Morningstar.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

John Keller was principal deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section from 2020 to 2025 and was acting chief when he resigned in early 2025.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

That fall — when school was back in session — Feese sued the teacher and the school principal for $3 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Vallejo, principal listing agent at Redfin, told the BBC the impact of the war could worsen if higher energy prices spark a wider economic slowdown.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Bummed out by their principal, everybody shuffled off to class.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Vocabulary lists containing principal

Some Tricky Homonyms

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A Graduation Lexicon

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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

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