1
as in initial
coming before all others in time or order
the much-studied first—and last—voyage of the Titanic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in main
coming before all others in importance
there are a number of reasons we can't go, but the first is that we don't have the money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in foremost
highest in rank or authority
auditioned and got first clarinet in the band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instead
as a substitute
eat peas? I'd eat cockroaches first
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in rather
by choice or preference
we will not give in, but will fight for our freedom first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of first
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
For those of us who have loved Carmen Maura since the first of her seven features with Pedro Almodóvar 45 years ago, watching her expressive face in Calle Málaga is its own wondrous reward.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The report released this month was an update on a study first published over a decade ago.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
In its first meeting, for instance, Kennedy’s ACIP voted to remove recommendations for flu vaccines that contain the preservative thimerosal, following the counsel of an anti-vaccine activist.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
For those of us who have loved Carmen Maura since the first of her seven features with Pedro Almodóvar 45 years ago, watching her expressive face in Calle Málaga is its own wondrous reward.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Taina had been out of town when Melo first rushed Luna to their vet, desperate for help.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The report released this month was an update on a study first published over a decade ago.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Anyone who loses will receive five bonus bets that add up to the initial stake.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Calderhead focuses on the British tactic, enacted two days after the initial attack, of moving their fleet into Flushing Bay to anchor for the night.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The 2019 Nationals aren’t even the foremost road warriors of the last few years.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Olivier Wenden is Vice Chairman & CEO, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, one of the world’s foremost philanthropic institutions dedicated to environmental conservation.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Skip the coffee, cocktails, and carbonated drinks—here’s what to eat instead for a smoother journey.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
-
But the glaciers don’t stop at the shoreline; instead, colossal floating plates of ice hundreds of meters thick extend over the sea.—
Evan Howell,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
And while handing Ole Miss its first loss of the year was reason to celebrate, things got pretty somber rather quickly for the Bulldogs after learning the injury status of one of their top playmakers.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Mann said Heat 2 would not deal with the events of 1995 in the original movie but would start rather one day after, with only Hanna’s associate Chris Shiherlis, played by Val Kilmer still alive.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The win marks her first career Emmy, nearly four decades after her inaugural nomination at the awards.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
During the inaugural rodeo held from May 29-31, Captain Hart faces his own inner storm while his son Ryan rides on horseback toward him.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps not surprisingly, the paper’s conspicuous treatment of crime news in his city ranked among the mayor’s chief objections to business as usual in the newsroom.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Ellison has made a series of C-level hires since the deal closed, including Makan Delrahim, who advised Skydance on its acquisition of Paramount Global, as chief legal officer; former Meta exec Dane Glasgow as chief product officer; and Roku’s Jay Askinasi as chief revenue officer.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The white paper recommends limiting play to one game a week in the fall and spring semesters, preferably on weekends.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Wait for a cloudy day, preferably before rain.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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