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
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Lake was among Luminate’s top five CCM artists in the first half of 2024, and his star has only risen since then.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 June 2025
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
The initiative was first previewed in Adams’ State of the City address in January and launched Wednesday at the Brooklyn Collegiate Preparatory High School in Brooklyn’s Ocean Hill.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
This is such a pivotal New York City song that Lorne Michaels asked Simon to sing it on the first SNL after 9/11.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Lake was among Luminate’s top five CCM artists in the first half of 2024, and his star has only risen since then.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 June 2025
Adverb
Crew chief Marvin Hudson first pointed to the Padres dugout, where Padres manager Mike Shildt did not show any response.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
The initiative was first previewed in Adams’ State of the City address in January and launched Wednesday at the Brooklyn Collegiate Preparatory High School in Brooklyn’s Ocean Hill.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Pele made it 3-1, then Zagallo put the game to bed with Brazil’s fourth after his initial corner was not cleared.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
In the initial preemptive attack, Israel hit the same three sites targeted by the U.S. Several top Iranian nuclear scientists and the top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the operation, according to Iran.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Facing a harbor filled with sailboats, Avalon is the island's main tourist hub, and where most tourists will stay, from hotels such as the century-old Hotel Atwater to Airbnbs.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
-
The three main changes House Republicans want to make are to ensure immigrants who are in the United States without legal authorization can’t enroll; create work requirements to be on the program; and prevent federal funding from being used for gender transition care.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Sindhu Bhaskar,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Lindell was one of the foremost conspiracy theorists in pushing claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Adverb
-
Kemp ignored the commands and instead accelerated and quickly came to a stop just in front of the sergeant.—
Shanzeh Ahmad,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
In an attempt to preserve public trust, the government instead broke it, Offit said.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Adverb
-
For the author, what may sound at first blush like a macho story of man conquering nature is not so much about a feat of endurance, but rather about community.—
Taylor Haney,
NPR,
18 June 2025
-
Lapointe doesn't think that's to do with age, but rather the culture of social media and the idea of capturing memories to watch back later.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Up next, Nordstrom has introduced its inaugural shopping hub in Brooklyn, New York.—
Essence,
Essence,
16 June 2025
-
On June 20 and 21, the inaugural IFAF African Flag Football Continental Championships take place in Cairo, Egypt.—
Peter Carline,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Due to the expense, first-time home buyers in San Jose are also getting older, which may impact school enrollment, said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
-
And the Silver chief financial officer, who was expected to be in court with documents, was a no-show.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2025
Adverb
-
Ideally, Newcastle desire experience working at a club which has regularly qualified for European football — and preferably the Champions League.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
From $6,750 per person for Hinoki Travels’ seven-night Interdependence: East Greenland trip, excluding flights from Reykjavik. Chloe Berge is a travel journalist drawn to adventures in the world’s rugged, remote corners, preferably exploring them on foot.—
Chloe Berge,
Outside Online,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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