Synonyms for principal

modified

principal is applied to the thing or person having precedence over all others by reason of size, position, importance, etc. the principal rivers of Africa; chief is applied to a person or thing first in rank, authority, importance, significance, etc., and usually connotes subordination of all others chief executive officer, the chief advantages; main, in strict usage, is applied to the thing, often part of a system or an extensive whole, that is preeminent in size, power, importance, etc. the main line of a railroad; leading may stress capacity for guiding, conducting, or drawing others as well as implying a position first in importance or rank a leading light of the community; foremost suggests being first by having moved ahead to that position the foremost statesman of our time; capital is applied to that which is ranked at the head of its kind or class because of its importance or its special significance the capital city

noun