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
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
The Chinese Exclusion Act: Annotated Liz Tracey May 19, 2022
The passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 marked the first time the United States prohibited immigration based on ethnicity and national origin.
—Allison Miller, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
End 2nd Inning The Razorbacks struck first with a 2-run home run from Carson Boles on a 1-1 breaking pitch with 1 out in the second inning.
—Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
This week, the stories in The Lede are devoted to the lives that have been upended during the first hundred days of Donald Trump’s second term.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
The Chinese Exclusion Act: Annotated Liz Tracey May 19, 2022
The passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 marked the first time the United States prohibited immigration based on ethnicity and national origin.
—Allison Miller, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Adverb
The Stars added to their lead just 1:12 into the second, with Mikko Rantanen’s first goal of the series, and first ever against the Avs.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
End 2nd Inning The Razorbacks struck first with a 2-run home run from Carson Boles on a 1-1 breaking pitch with 1 out in the second inning.
—Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Despite some initial hiccups, the fan had an unforgettable night.—
Billboard Brasil,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Finding the house was an enormous challenge for McBride and locations manager Kale Murphy; initial candidates weren’t distinct enough from the Gemstones’ other residences, and the search took so long McBride nearly called HBO to request a pause in production.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
This means cruise visitors will need to rely on shuttle buses, taxis, or sightseeing tours to reach the city’s main attractions.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Today, the city’s main protection against high tides is the MOSE set of flood barriers that rises from the seabed to cut off the lagoon from the Adriatic during exceptionally high tides.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Naeem Ghauri,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
This return to immigration law-and-order was the foremost promise of his 2024 campaign.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Under the House Republican proposal, borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE, PAYE, and ICR would be automatically moved into the IBR plan instead, which is a separate program created by Congress.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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The program instead asked migrants to apply online, requiring them to secure a U.S.-based financial sponsor in order to secure permission to enter the country and two years of work authorization.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
They had been rather carelessly overfilled and half an inch of gas sloshed on top of the barrels.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
1 May 2025
-
The Leafs’ power play never overwhelmed teams with shot volume and scoring chances, but rather worked the puck to high-danger areas, pounced on rebounds and offered a lot of shooting options between Knies and John Tavares at the net and Matthews and William Nylander from the flanks.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The idea behind Air | Water was explored as an extra day added to Luft 9 in 2023, and saw its inaugural full-scale execution last year at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
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Federal law prevents foreigners from donating to presidential campaigns or inaugural funds, but World Liberty’s coin sale offered a new, legal way to back Mr. Trump.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Originally from France, Simo was among the highest-ranking female executives at Facebook, after then-COO Sheryl Sandberg and Marne Levine, who was chief business officer.—
Ari Levy,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
-
That’s because walking, like other forms of exercise, triggers the release of dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain, according to University of Miami psychiatrist Dr. Dante Durand, also chief medical officer at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital in Miami.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
Your best bet is to use machines affiliated with major international banks—think HSBC, Barclays, Santander—preferably during business hours in case something goes wrong (for example, your card gets stuck in the machine).—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
28 Apr. 2025
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Nominees for the annual John Gassner Award — for a new American play, preferably by a new playwright — are: Becoming Eve by Emil Weinstein; Good Night, and Good Luck by George Clooney and Grant Heslov; Pre-Existing Condition by Marin Ireland; Still by Lia Romeo; and Walden by Amy Berryman.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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