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
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Jackie Robinson became the first Black baseball player elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
At first, the corporal was very convincing.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Munetaka Murakami has been the premier offseason signing for the Chicago White Sox after leaving the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Nippon Baseball League to play in MLB for the first time.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Jackie Robinson became the first Black baseball player elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The sturdy grooved leaves seem tough at first but, like your back after a trip to the chiropractor, relax and open up once they’re heartily massaged.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
At first, the corporal was very convincing.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
The initial indictment filed in November accused Clase of rigging pitches in specific games between May 2023 and June 2025.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The model presented was the Changan Nevo A06, also known as the Qiyuan A06, which serves as the initial platform for the new battery technology.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
White actually carried main voice Terry Gannon through parts of the broadcast.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Shah’s daughter, Smita Shah, is a finance committee vice chair for Stratton’s main campaign fund, Juliana for Illinois.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Priced at $88 for a 30-day supply of capsules, the supplement adresses hair loss among Gen X and Boomer men for whom later-stage androgenetic alopecia is perhaps one cause of hair loss, but aging and collagen loss, among other biological shifts, are the foremost culprits.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Known as the foremost expert on chimpanzee research, Goodall's pioneering research and perspective on the natural world helped pave the way for female scientists today.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
They have been used ever since, except for Super Bowl 50, where the number was used instead because NFL ad designers felt Super Bowl L was too unattractive and unmarketable.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
However, Zelenskyy, backed by European leaders and some members of Congress, has insisted that the sanctions regime against Russia must instead be tightened to starve the Russian war machine of revenue and Western technological components.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
For another, this drubbing, unlike many previous ones, was triggered not by fears of a bubble but rather concern that AI is on the verge of supplanting the business models of a wide swathe of companies that doomsayers have long predicted were at risk.—
Brody Ford,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
According to this idea, although these objects may look like supersize red stars, their shine is powered not by standard stellar thermonuclear fusion but rather by the relentless funneling of burning-hot plasma into the insatiable maw of a snowballing black hole.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Being able to stay home and not have to leave their older child was the main reason the Schapanskys agreed to have Avry Jo be the inaugural patient.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Following the successful inaugural edition last year—attracting over 500 applications, 21 finalists and three winners—the 2026 program will swell its impact across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Spurs are still reeling and trying to find their feet after a dizzying amount of change at executive level over the last 12 months, which includes the departures of executive chairman Daniel Levy and chief football officer Scott Munn, with the Lewis family reasserting control of daily operations.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Disney said Walden has been promoted to a new role — president and chief creative officer — also effective March 18.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Car snow cleaning tips Wear gloves or mittens (preferably waterproof) to limit discomfort.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, everyone wears high-quality socks, preferably ones made out of Merino wool, like these Smartwool crew socks.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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