Synonyms of first

first 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərst 

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

• initial
• inaugural
• original
• foremost
• earliest
• maiden
• previous
• early
• pioneer
• premier
• primary
• headmost
• prime
• preceding
• leadoff
• virgin
• primordial
• ancient
• primeval
• primitive
• primal
• antecedent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• final
• latter
• latest
• ultimate
• terminal
• late
• following
• subsequent
• advanced
• terminating
• succeeding
• ensuing
• consequent
• penultimate

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

• main
• greatest
• highest
• foremost
• primary
• predominant
• big
• dominant
• leading
• principal
• key
• chief
• prior
• central
• supreme
• great
• cardinal
• paramount
• premier
• overriding
• master
• primal
• top
• major
• sovereign
• capital
• number one
• grand
• overbearing
• distinguished
• outstanding
• senior
• important
• preeminent
• notable
• noteworthy
• illustrious
• prestigious
• overmastering
• stellar
• arch
• numero uno
• eminent
• signal
• momentous
• high-level
• influential
• superior
• star
• famous
• significant
• mighty
• celebrated
• noble
• famed
• unparalleled
• incomparable
• renowned
• unequaled
• unsurpassed
• matchless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• last
• least
• minor
• slight
• negligible
• trivial
• insignificant
• unimportant
• secondary
• subordinate
• inferior
• collateral
• inconsequential
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• subsidiary

3

as in foremost

highest in rank or authority

auditioned and got first clarinet in the band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foremost
• chief
• presiding
• top
• commanding
• primary
• lead
• supreme
• leading
• senior
• principal
• high
• prime
• head
• premier
• main
• in charge
• major
• preeminent
• supereminent
• high-level
• predominant
• managing
• dominant
• supervisory
• upper
• overseeing
• controlling
• paramount
• directing
• reigning
• topmost
• predominate
• ruling
• uppermost
• sovereign
• officiating
• superior
• grand
• regnant
• ascendant
• upmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• second
• last
• less
• lower
• secondary
• lesser
• subordinate
• ancillary
• subsidiary
• lowly
• inferior
• junior
• assistant
• under
• assisting
• deputy
• coadjutor

first

2 of 2

adverb

1

as in instead

as a substitute

eat peas? I'd eat cockroaches first

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instead
• rather
• in lieu
• alternately
• alternatively

2

as in rather

by choice or preference

we will not give in, but will fight for our freedom first

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rather
• preferably
• soon
• willingly
• readily
• either
• instead
• fain
• alternately
• alternatively
• voluntarily
• optionally
• gladly
• electively
• obligingly
• desirably
• wishfully

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• involuntarily
• reluctantly
• unwillingly
• forcibly
• willy-nilly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of first

Adjective

The teams played three times in the regular season with Milwaukee winning twice, but all three games occurred during the first week of the season. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026

Strategists in both parties said that this redistricting scramble has changed how donors are being approached for state legislative races — rarely the first places where the largest political funders send their cash. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Adverb

The pair have made relatively few public appearances together since first being romantically linked in September. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Some were wearing life vests that had tiny lights that produced the flicker first spotted by Miller. — Jaimie Ding, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing first

• at first
• first blush
• first estate
• first name