(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
Recent Examples on the Web
The 23-year old was a restricted free agent, meaning the blue and gold had the right of first refusal to match any offer that came Jackson’s way from another team.
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Tony East, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Exxon and China National Offshore Oil Corp. had filed an arbitration case with the ICC, claiming a right of first refusal over Hess’ assets in the Stabroek Block, an oil development off the coast of Guyana.
—Spencer Kimball,sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 July 2025
The McCaskey family exercised its right of first refusal (ROFR) and matched an offer by two Chicago developers to keep ownership within the family.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 June 2025
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.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 29 July 2025
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Tony East, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Exxon and China National Offshore Oil Corp. had filed an arbitration case with the ICC, claiming a right of first refusal over Hess’ assets in the Stabroek Block, an oil development off the coast of Guyana.
—Spencer Kimball,sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 July 2025
The McCaskey family exercised its right of first refusal (ROFR) and matched an offer by two Chicago developers to keep ownership within the family.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 June 2025
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.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 29 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 2 Sep. 2025.
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