(the right of) first refusal
idiom
: the right to have the first choice to buy something on the same terms as offered to someone else
Examples of (the right of) first refusal in a Sentence
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Since they are restricted free agents, their 2024-25 teams have right of first refusal, meaning if Grimes, for example, signed an offer sheet with another franchise, the Sixers could match it to bring him back for the same price.
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Fred Katz, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Oversight: All vineyard transactions in Burgundy must pass through SAFER, France’s rural land agency, which retains the right of first refusal.
—Anthony Zhang, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The thinking appeared to be that the right of first refusal held some value, even if it was not exercised, which should benefit shareholders.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Madrid would receive around €3million for him, in a deal including a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a right of first refusal on re-signing the 19-year-old in the event of his departure from Alaves.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 July 2025
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Fred Katz, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Oversight: All vineyard transactions in Burgundy must pass through SAFER, France’s rural land agency, which retains the right of first refusal.
—Anthony Zhang, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The thinking appeared to be that the right of first refusal held some value, even if it was not exercised, which should benefit shareholders.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 July 2025
Madrid would receive around €3million for him, in a deal including a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a right of first refusal on re-signing the 19-year-old in the event of his departure from Alaves.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for (the right of) first refusal
Cite this Entry
“(the right of) first refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28the%20right%20of%29%20first%20refusal. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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