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
Mac Engel
may 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026
In 2025, Canadian travelers headed to LAX fell 17.2% — and in the first five months of this year the airport is expected to be down another 9%, according to a statement provided to the Southern California News Group by LAX officials.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 3 May 2026
ABC News, 11 May 2026
The outbreak was first reported on May 7.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
This year, the Rangers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1996 team that won the American League West, and was the first to reach the playoffs.
—Mac Engel
may 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026
In 2025, Canadian travelers headed to LAX fell 17.2% — and in the first five months of this year the airport is expected to be down another 9%, according to a statement provided to the Southern California News Group by LAX officials.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 3 May 2026
Adverb
Nori was first tagged in Nova Scotia in October of last year, and had since traveled south to the coast of the Carolinas for the winter before making its move north this spring.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
The outbreak was first reported on May 7.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
An initial round of peace talks was held in the capital of Islamabad last month.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The bill also retains its enforcement division capable of making arrests, despite initial DFL reservations.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
One of the book’s main themes is that trauma and damage, like red hair or skill with animals, can be handed down from one generation to the next.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Two smaller structures rise to six floors each, alongside the 20-story main tower.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cochran gave Bradley credit for that London show and many more that followed, putting him together with Noël Coward, the young George Balanchine, and the man who would become the foremost progenitor of ballet in Britain, Frederick Ashton.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
And there’s no one better to portray that than Drucker, who has become one of our foremost portrayers of women on the edge.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Adverb
-
With Snell set to go as many as five innings in what was expected to be his final minor league rehab start, the Dodgers elected to have the two-time Cy Young Award winner do the work on the Dodger Stadium mound instead and the rust was evident.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Lee instead pivots to a 2023 bribery scandal that has nothing to do with the engineering, fire codes or testing protocols that govern these facilities.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adverb
-
Or, if you'd rather be cocooned in greenery than gazing at the Pacific, one of the two treehouse-style suites nestled in the property's garden is a dreamy alternative.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
Most of the residents aren't from the DMV area, but rather Georgia, Arizona and California, according to The New York Times.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The 26-year-old San Diego native previously joined SDFC as a Stage 1 selection in the 2024 MLS re-entry draft and was part of the club’s inaugural-season roster last year.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The inaugural Rock Star Mom honoree was Giselli Veloz, senior program manager at LIFT-NY.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
No note from the victim was recovered and officials determined the cause of death to be suicide based on their postmortem examination, said Sterling McLaren, chief medical examiner for the city and county of Denver.—
Mead Gruver,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Ty Holmes, chief impact officer for Curriculum Associates, said the company continuously solicits feedback and tries to make changes to address complaints.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Adverb
-
But there’s pleasure in staying put in town too, preferably eating fish and chips at Lewis’ Seafood Restaurant and watching the light shift over the North Sea.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
-
Researchers from University College London (UCL) found that at least a weekly dose of art—preferably of diverse forms and types—made people on average about a year younger, as suggested by changes to DNA and in terms of overall health, than those who rarely treated themselves to the creative arts.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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