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
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know.
—X (formerly Twitter), 8 Sep. 2025
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The show was first reported to be in development at HBO Max back in 2023.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
By Anders Melin | Bloomberg Larry Ellison has become the world’s richest person for the first time, ending Elon Musk’s nearly year-long reign in the top spot.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know.
—X (formerly Twitter), 8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Master the fundamentals first, then break rules intentionally.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The show was first reported to be in development at HBO Max back in 2023.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
After an initial jam session to determine musical abilities and interests, participants are paired up and assigned to a counselor who manages their activities for the week.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As other guests like Futura, Natasha Lyonne, Common and Marisa Tomei arrived at Saga after their initial experiences, and hungry for more, dinner was just getting underway for the Moon group.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Hohman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Voters instead delivered gains to both far-right and far-left parties.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In one practice, McCarthy refused to throw an easy short pass and opted instead to throw a deeper-developing route.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Just not my cup of tea, or rather only in small doses.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But those defenses, more then Vrabel's new unit, were interested in gap control and keeping everything in front of them rather then penetration and creating negative plays.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The British band’s inaugural stop in Latin America on their highly successful Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour — which launched in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4 — drew a crowd of 65,000 fans at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros, according to promoter OCESA.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An expansion team reached the playoffs in its inaugural season.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Professionally, Austin remains close to the game as the chief operating officer of sports analytics company Pro Football Focus.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent at The New York Times, said last night.—
The Editors,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
How To See The Chi Cygnids Meteor Shower The best way to see any meteor shower is to go stargazing for a few hours, preferably on a dark, moonless night sky away from light pollution (consult a light pollution map or travel to a Dark Sky Place).—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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