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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Shares of design software company Figma plunged 14% in extended trading, as investors took a dim view of Figma’s first quarter earnings report.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2025
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Soboleva was self-conscious at first, screaming in public.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The energy released can briefly form quark-gluon plasma, thought to be the first state of matter after the Big Bang.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Shares of design software company Figma plunged 14% in extended trading, as investors took a dim view of Figma’s first quarter earnings report.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
An East Lansing location, Michigan’s first, opened in 2022.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Soboleva was self-conscious at first, screaming in public.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
After the initial outcry, Sanders continued jetting himself around the country.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Before The Beatles and before football came the docks, once the beating heart of Liverpool and the catalyst for the city’s initial growth and prosperity.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Punk is deeply tied into current main-event storylines with real-life married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, so the impending couples brawl is a great story.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The stages of the eclipse include penumbral and umbral phases, which refer to the two main parts of the shadow that the moon casts.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Agni Ghosh,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Now, one of the family’s foremost talents has struck out on her own, pioneering a new roster of wines that reflect her own passions and interests.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Voters instead delivered gains to both far-right and far-left parties.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In one practice, McCarthy refused to throw an easy short pass and opted instead to throw a deeper-developing route.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Southerners have long been known to have the gift of gab, and that discerning quality has resulted in a rather enthusiastic take on small talk.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Applications are now open for the inaugural class, which will begin in the fall of 2026.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Winnipeg’s Frantic Films, headed by CEO and executive producer Jamie Brown, was the recipient of the CMPA’s inaugural TV Producer Indiescreen Award.—
Jennie Punter,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Those changes will likely start with a new chief soccer officer.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Zubeck most recently served as chief financial officer of Mesa Airlines and prior to that in multiple executive roles at Alaska Airlines.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
That means chaotic mornings, trying to get everyone in your house dressed, fed, and out the door—preferably without any tantrums along the way.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The resort’s coastal location provides many perfect spots to see the sun sinking into the Pacific each evening (preferably with a cocktail or a glass of wine in hand).—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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