as in originally
in the beginning
firstly, gather all the ingredients together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of firstly
Its detection means that, firstly, JADES-GS-z13-1-LA produced enough high-energy radiation to excite its neutral hydrogen, and secondly that there was little neutral hydrogen between the galaxy and Earth to block the Lyman-α photons from reaching us in the present.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Now, the Democratic Party’s institutional failure to focus firstly on the economic security of working families has had epic consequences.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Its success leads her to rebel, firstly through passionate love affairs with women and then by reclaiming her authorship.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Meissner is unique among current film market directors for her perspective on the circuit having worked as a film sales agent for two decades, firstly for Celluloid Dreams and then Memento.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firstly
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Now, the Democratic Party’s institutional failure to focus firstly on the economic security of working families has had epic consequences.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Its success leads her to rebel, firstly through passionate love affairs with women and then by reclaiming her authorship.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Meissner is unique among current film market directors for her perspective on the circuit having worked as a film sales agent for two decades, firstly for Celluloid Dreams and then Memento.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firstly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firstly
Adverb
-
While originally set to create upwards of 2,500 jobs once operational and bring a $3.5 billion dollar investment from Ford, the project has since been scaled back.—
Elyse Apel,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
-
Standardized tests—originally developed by eugenicists—have long favored wealthier, white test-takers.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
Strategic LinkedIn Network Building Networking feels uncomfortable initially, but LinkedIn thrives on professional connections.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Dakota Hensley, 26, pleaded guilty in Clermont County Common Pleas Court on July 2 to voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge than the murder count Hensley was initially indicted on.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firstly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firstly. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share