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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of first
Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Was there a sense of pressure returning to this world after the success of the first film?
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 29 June 2025
Essence, 19 June 2025
Hamby didn’t, as required by law, first file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The legislation centers on making permanent many benefits from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end, potentially triggering automatic increases for millions of Americans.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Was there a sense of pressure returning to this world after the success of the first film?
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 29 June 2025
Adverb
After connecting with Javier, whose intentionality in caring for the health of your hair first, my perspective changed.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
Hamby didn’t, as required by law, first file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 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
-
One voter in Greenwich Village told ABC News that concerns about antisemitism were a main driver for his decision to vote for Cuomo.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
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
-
Giard grew up to become both a voracious reader (with a B.A. in English and American literature from Yale and an M.A. in comparative literature from Boston University) and a foremost chronicler of writers.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 June 2025
-
One of the Jet Propulsion Lab’s foremost scientists says the futuristic outpost is still hoping against hope that the president’s plan for NASA will be overturned by Congress.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adverb
-
Avoid trendy or clashing colors and instead opt for timeless, natural tones with dimension; consider roof slope and visibility to match style with practicality.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
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
-
In a document prepared before the meeting, city staff proposed that the naming request be honored for at least a decade, but Johnson told the council this seemed like a rather short period.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
Per Deadline, Branagh will play Streep’s onscreen husband, or rather, the fourth Mr. Miranda Priestly.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The inaugural recipient will be honored at the Special Awards Presentation during the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Week in Las Vegas in November.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
28 June 2025
-
Among those receiving clemency are a pair of reality TV stars, a straw donor who gave $900,000 to Trump’s first inaugural committee and a Virginia sheriff sentenced to 10 years for deputizing several businessmen in exchange for cash payments.—
Jim Mustian,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Daniel Danker, the chief product officer at Instacart, was among the early risers at the venue.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
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
Adverb
-
What scientists really want is a way to make their own eclipses on demand – preferably ones that can last for hours and are outside the Earth's atmosphere.—
David Szondy
June 28,
New Atlas,
28 June 2025
-
Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share