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
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Recent Examples of first
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Levy is still giddy recalling his experience of reading the pilot script for the first time.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The report released this month was an update on a study first published over a decade ago.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Brenner is expected to announce his first signings in the coming weeks, having previously managed the likes of Nadia Sawalha and Adele Roberts.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Levy is still giddy recalling his experience of reading the pilot script for the first time.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Taina had been out of town when Melo first rushed Luna to their vet, desperate for help.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The report released this month was an update on a study first published over a decade ago.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
His initial coping mechanism was to throw his water bottle in frustration.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The items collect dust, and the space is rarely revisited after the initial setup until the holidays come around.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Goodall was seen as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The 2019 Nationals aren’t even the foremost road warriors of the last few years.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Skip the coffee, cocktails, and carbonated drinks—here’s what to eat instead for a smoother journey.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
-
But the glaciers don’t stop at the shoreline; instead, colossal floating plates of ice hundreds of meters thick extend over the sea.—
Evan Howell,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The sixth-year veteran has been rather terrible as of late.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But a few of those games have been rather close, particularly last year’s 30-27 win in double overtime.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The inaugural Wonder Project | Stand Together Fellowship was awarded to Christopher Holt for his script 27 Cows.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
-
On this day in 1985, the Kings played their first game in Sacramento, opening their inaugural season in California’s capitol city with a 108-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers before a sellout crowd of 10,333 at Arco Arena.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Six months after a high-profile arrest and indictment of a judge at the Milwaukee County Courthouse complex, the county's chief judge has yet to issue a formal policy about what leeway federal immigration agents have to operate in the county's halls of justice.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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At the other end of the spectrum, Macquarie’s chief economist, David Doyle, tells Fortune that while Washington isn’t necessarily shaping its policy because of imminent recessionary fears, policymakers will be keen to maintain growth.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
To reap the most nutrients from your java, skip the sugar and milk and enjoy it black (preferably filtered) to sip your way to better health.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Taller plants can be covered in breathable material, preferably some kind of fabric, Orick said.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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