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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.

These findings are the result of nearly ten years of collaborative work between Araneda's lab at UMD and the laboratory of María de los Ángeles García-Robles at the University of Concepción, the project's principal investigator.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

An Anthropic spokeswoman said that this is consistent with standard accounting practices because the company is the principal in the transaction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Matsumoto’s mother is of Korean descent and is principal at Hawthorne Math and Science Academy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“No, but a lot of parents have picked their kids up. The principal is married to that Richard guy on TV.”

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

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