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first 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərst How to pronounce first (audio)
Definition of firstnext
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

first

2 of 2

adverb

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of first
Adjective
So the first question was whether a single party should ever hold a complete key, and therefore complete control over a client’s assets. — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 The first-ever spaceport could join the moon’s orbit in the next 20 years, increasing space traffic. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Calling 911 first gets help dispatched right away, and the dispatcher walks through the steps to take before professionals arrive. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 According to the report first shared with Reuters, the agents appeared to be swapping information on solving technical tasks. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
  1. initial
  2. main
  3. foremost
  4. instead
  5. rather
  6. inaugural
  7. primary
  8. chief
Adjective
  • An initial tank would use a 1,500-horsepower diesel generator.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Actor, singer, and entrepreneur Tyrese Gibson has been part of FuelFest—founded in 2019—since Cody Walker shared his initial idea for it over dinner.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Rhodes owes Orton another lick after getting punted in the head following their WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event brawl.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Spectrum’s second flight began with ignition of the rocket’s nine Aquila main engines, burning a mixture of propane and liquid oxygen propellants to generate more than 150,000 pounds (675 kilonewtons) of thrust.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Making the roster more functional will be the foremost objective for whomever Crane chooses to replace Brown.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • One of the two candidates for president, one of the country’s foremost politicians, was expressly lumping together a sizable American ethnic minority with external enemies.
    — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adverb
  • Counsell and Bregman demurred when asked for specifics of who came up with the costumes, instead giving everyone credit for what became a memorable day.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • He was originally sentenced to two months in prison but ultimately was allowed instead to serve the time in a work-release program, pay the back taxes and a $30,000 fine, and perform 800 hours of community service teaching art in Harlem schools.
    — BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • But their primitive way of living reveals itself to rather more devastating effect when their third child is born, and Inger commits an act of unthinkable desperation.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Dmitriy Mazurov plays successful company director Gleb, whose seemingly perfect life starts to unravel, not due to the conflict however, but rather his suspicions that his wife (Iris Lebedeva) is having an affair.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • Its inaugural hearing-aid-fitting clinic is at Sixty-first and Park.
    — David Owen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Budapest was picked to host the inaugural Ultimate Championships in part because of how good the World Championships were here three years ago.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Adjective
  • The club prefers Taylor to serve as the primary organizational voice to relay its message — and to take the brunt of criticism.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The charcoal floor tiling and island in the corner kitchen feel like something Rick Owens would have dreamed up, as are the primary bathroom’s concrete floors and shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Earlier that month, Greg Rogers, chief fiscal officer for the Education Department, said the department waited before requesting additional funds to determine how many students would actually use the accounts they were approved to receive.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • As with EVs, Chinese trucks are increasingly technologically advanced, says Thomas Fabian, chief commercial vehicles officer at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of chief

Phrases Containing first

Browse Nearby Words

firm (up)
first
first base
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Cite this Entry

“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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