Synonyms of 'principal'
adjective
first in importance, rank, or value
◾Their principal concern is that of winning the next election.main
My main concern now is to protect the children.
leading
Britain's future as a leading industrial nation depends on investment.
chief
Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.
The job went to one of his chief rivals.
prime
Political stability is a prime concern.
first
The first priority for development is to defeat inflation.
highest
controlling
strongest
essential
Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.
primary
His primary aim in life is to be happy.
most important
dominant
She was a dominant figure in the film industry.
cardinal
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.
paramount
The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.
foremost
He was one of the world's foremost scholars.
pre-eminent
He is the pre-eminent political figure in the country.
Opposites
noun
1
the head of a school or other educational institution
◾the principal of the local high schoolheadmaster or headmistress
dean
dean of the faculty
head teacher
One of the photos must be signed by your head teacher.
master or mistress
2
a person who holds one of the most important positions in an organization
◾the principal of the company3
the leading actor in a play
◾soloists and principals of The Scottish Ballet orchestraCopyright © 2016 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
Additional synonyms
baas (South Africa)
a boss
The word 'baas' is now regarded as an expression of servility.
cardinal
fundamentally important
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.
chief
Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.
The job went to one of his chief rivals.
highest
most important
big-time (informal)
major league (informal)
Video: pronunciation of 'principal'
Nearby words of 'principal'
Source
Thesaurus for principal from the
Collins English Thesaurus