(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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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.
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The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 July 2025
The Heat has until Sunday to extend qualifying offers to retain the right of first refusal on the contracts of Smith and Stevens, with the possibility of bringing them back next season on another two-way deal.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Walter, along with fellow LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, initially purchased a minority stake in the Lakers in 2021 from Philip Anschutz, which included the right of first refusal on any other Lakers shares.
—Matt Bok, Sportico.com, 21 June 2025
Walter received a right of first refusal on the majority share of the Lakers when making the initial minority ownership purchase.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
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The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 July 2025
The Heat has until Sunday to extend qualifying offers to retain the right of first refusal on the contracts of Smith and Stevens, with the possibility of bringing them back next season on another two-way deal.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Walter, along with fellow LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, initially purchased a minority stake in the Lakers in 2021 from Philip Anschutz, which included the right of first refusal on any other Lakers shares.
—Matt Bok, Sportico.com, 21 June 2025
Walter received a right of first refusal on the majority share of the Lakers when making the initial minority ownership purchase.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 25 June 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 10 Aug. 2025.
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