number one

adjective

variants also No. 1
Definition of number onenext
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance considers international terrorism to be the number one threat to national security

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind the company's chocolate is rated as number one by serious chocoholics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of number one Talked about number one in the country a year ago and some of our championships. — Tom Green | [email protected], al, 15 Mar. 2023 And North Carolina, last year's runner up and this year's preseason number one, missed out entirely. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2023 Depositors and workers in the companies whose deposits are in that bank need to be job number one. — CBS News, 12 Mar. 2023 The number one priority in those situations is the health of the player. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for number one
Recent Examples of Synonyms for number one
  1. main
  2. excellent
  3. primary
  4. great
  5. predominant
  6. wonderful
  7. foremost
  8. terrific
Adjective
  • In 2019, a train lost control while approaching Cairo’s main station in Ramses Square, igniting a fire that killed 25 people.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Tens of thousands of people packed Florida’s main square for the Mass under brilliant blue skies, some walking for several kilometers (miles) to reach the site.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Party organizations were strong, our legislative allies were aligned, and labor held significant influence within the primary process.
    — Denis Hughes, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Much of his campaign was run against the Democratic establishment, with his primary opponent backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin's one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin’s one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • In these regions, the predominant ailments are HIV/AIDS, premature birth and birth trauma, congenital anomalies and injuries.
    — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Another complicating factor is that H1N1 has been the dominant strain this year, compared to the previous few years when the H3N2 strain was the predominant one.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • My health and long-term well-being remain my foremost priorities.
    — Mike Toole, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Now its glassy waters are the centerpiece of new glamping cabins that cater to Cuyuna Country, one of the Midwest’s foremost mountain biking destinations.
    — Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Some of the production’s strongest moments feature this sort of tricky tonal pivot, as when a punkish gamer (a terrific Wren Rivera) is unveiled as the gleeful consultant who selects organ recipients using an algorithm.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • At the center is a terrific vocal performance by Hader, who captures the spirit of a Cat in the Hat for a new generation.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

numberless
number one
numbers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Number one.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/number%20one. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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