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
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Recent Examples of first
Tom Burrows, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This isn’t the first time Trump showed face at a major sports event and was rejected with a chorus of boos.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 June 2026
Ani Duzdabanyan, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The fights were slightly delayed because of inclement weather, and so we were treated, first, to a quartet of chattering analysts wearing natty, snug suits.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
For example, when Curacao played Germany, the World Cup newcomers equalised just before the first hydration break.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This isn’t the first time Trump showed face at a major sports event and was rejected with a chorus of boos.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 June 2026
Adverb
Rooted in community and resilience, the banquet halls first established in Los Angeles became information hubs for immigrants navigating the challenges of their new home.
—Ani Duzdabanyan, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The fights were slightly delayed because of inclement weather, and so we were treated, first, to a quartet of chattering analysts wearing natty, snug suits.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
The development came after the judge ruled in May that evidence found during an initial search of Mangione's backpack must be suppressed, including a magazine, cell phone, passport and wallet.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
McGarry, while supportive of the county's initial steps, remains skeptical that the ordinance goes far enough to protect the most vulnerable residents.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that every single main cast member is on the ballot suggests that HBO made sure all main cast members were submitted and then allowed recurring performers to submit themselves.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
-
However, that change requires the Green Mountain Care Board, the state's main healthcare regulator, to go through a rulemaking process, which would not be finalized by the start of the coming hospital fiscal year in October, delaying the pricing reform implementation.—
OLIVIA GIEGER VTDigger,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Gifford, who never attended college, eventually sold those buildings and became the city’s foremost expert on the repair and maintenance of boilers, writing a 571-page textbook on building science.—
Jesse Armas,
Curbed,
16 June 2026
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Kevin Brady,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
The La Roja boss didn’t react quickly enough to the situation, instead opting for more of the same after the halftime break – rightly or wrongly relying on his mainstay players who largely brought him to this point – and didn’t change anyone until the 71st minute.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Pages was instead competing with all NL outfielders.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Adverb
-
The menu at Ardys’ food truck is rather sparse compared to its restaurant in Philippine Cultural Center, but the truck could arguably sell just one item and still do just fine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
In bacteria, transcription factors are rather like keys that fit the locks of unique binding sites on DNA.—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Top outdoor players gathered at FN’s inaugural Switchback event in New Orleans on Wednesday night for an evening of cocktails, conversation and classic New Orleans fare.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
-
Out-of-home viewing boosted the audience levels for Mexico’s inaugural World Cup match June 11 by 50%, and contributed several million viewers to the total for the USMNT opener.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
National Institutes of Health announced that the agency, along with researchers from the University of Florida, would begin clinical trials on mitragynine, the primary psychoactive compound in kratom, to evaluate its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Furthermore, buildings must now identify backup service providers to ensure repairs can be made even if primary companies are unavailable or out of business.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Cultus Lake Waterpark's chief administrative officer, Andrew Steunenberg, reportedly said those injured were not in the water or on any rides at the time of the incident.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
In the show, Morrissey plays headmaster Michael Polly, who becomes the chief suspect when his wife goes missing and who remains inscrutable for most of the six episodes.—
Simon Button,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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