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
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Recent Examples of first
Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The first public execution by guillotine took place in 1792.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Autonomous vehicles, slated to first operate in Baltimore, are now here, with the potential to significantly reduce the trauma on Maryland roads.
—John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Starters carry weight Suggs got going early with a nine-point first quarter and had 13 by the half with four rebounds and four assists.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The first public execution by guillotine took place in 1792.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Tickets will be available by category at first with specific seats being assigned closer to the event.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Autonomous vehicles, slated to first operate in Baltimore, are now here, with the potential to significantly reduce the trauma on Maryland roads.
—John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
As well as continuing to restore water service to his residence after the initial altercation.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of getting a kickstart on redetermination, which would have started in July under the initial bill, redeterminations will begin in 2027.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Demonstrators flocked to protests around the country to march, stand in crowds or line main streets.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sirens alerted people to seek shelter in and around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba and areas near the country’s main nuclear research center, which were targeted by Iranian strikes that injured dozens last weekend.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Its seminary is the foremost clerical institution in the world, training students from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan in a wide range of topics, including Shiite jurisprudence, Quranic interpretation and Arabic literature.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The meeting has been positioned as a critical opportunity for both sides to reset the relationship between the world’s two foremost economic and military powers.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
During the class, Renee didn’t explicitly dwell on the price drop, instead choosing to emphasize the highs.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But officials said earlier this year the city was no longer interested in the takeover, and, instead, Lyster said the city is eyeing transit options to link multiple billion-dollar developments around Anaheim.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Kansas has not been a program built on turning over its roster every season but rather generating improvement from those already on it — and then trying to find ways to fill in the gaps when necessary.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If the goal is truly to protect consumers, the solution does not lie in reducing the visibility of the legal market through federal prohibitions, but rather in avoiding excessive intervention.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Manuela Moscoso is the inaugural executive and artistic director of CARA (Center for Art, Research, and Alliances) and has served as curator of the Second Bienal das Amazônias (2025), the Eleventh Liverpool Biennial (2021), and the Bienal de Cuenca (2014).—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film (May 12-20) is extending its AI For Talent Summit which will mark its second year this May after a one-day inaugural edition last year.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The law took effect in January 2024 and allows certain people — like family members, county or city attorneys and chief law enforcement officers — to file the petition, known as an extreme risk protection order.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Manufacturing activity in March gathered momentum as factories rushed to resume production after an extended national holiday in mid-February, said Huo Lihui, chief statistician at NBS.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Things to do before the launch Find a location from which to conduct your observation, preferably somewhere with a higher elevation or a clear horizon.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For more than a year, the owners of other major league teams have telegraphed their desire to restrain all that spending, preferably through a salary cap.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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