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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of first
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 May 2025
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, called upon his subjects to search for the key to eternity in the 210’s B.C.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
But solving this problem doesn’t require first fixing all the data.
—Lewis Wynne-Jones, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
According to Screen, which was first to report news of the outage, the power also went down in several screening rooms, halting films midway through their showings, though the power in the Palais stayed on thanks to back-up generators.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 May 2025
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, called upon his subjects to search for the key to eternity in the 210’s B.C.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Adverb
The affidavit says that the victim resisted telling his mother about Sorrells' behavior at first.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
But solving this problem doesn’t require first fixing all the data.
—Lewis Wynne-Jones, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
-
On Tuesday, May 13, Marquez was at her salon, Blossom Beauty Lounge, when, according to initial investigations, a man entered and fired a gun at her, per the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office (JSPO).—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
-
Its main funders are the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW – and returning main partner ZDF Studios.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Mark Morgan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Cruise emerged as Hollywood's foremost advocate for the theatrical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters across the globe were staring down an uncertain future.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Adverb
-
Godard has no script, working instead from a treatment by his comrade François Truffaut, and also from ideas that come to mind before and during shooting; whenever inspiration runs dry, production wraps for the day.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 May 2025
-
The boom was instead brought out first to aid in the investigation into the diver’s death.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Adverb
-
This is not an abandonment of loyalty to these institutions' missions, but rather, its highest expression.—
Alondra Nelson,
Time,
13 May 2025
-
Gerard Finley’s Antony makes a good partner to this rather domesticated Cleopatra.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Zac Brown will also be honored with the inaugural Veterans Voice Award.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
The only transcript that is now available on the White House website is Trump’s inaugural address.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Also in attendance were Eliahu Hamra, the chief rabbi of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, and Jonathan Karszenbaum, the executive director of the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
The role will report into chief operating officer Jonathan Allan, who is poised to step up to interim CEO when Alex Mahon exits Horseferry Road in the coming weeks.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
Adverb
-
Two years ago, Aidan Butler, chief executive of 1/st Racing, which will operate the Preakness for two years before surrendering to Maryland regulatory agencies, pushed for a new schedule with three or preferably four weeks between races.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
-
Just enjoy the brownie, preferably with a glass of milk.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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