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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 May 2025
Amber announced the existence of her first baby Oonagh Paige in an Instagram post on July 2021.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 12 May 2025
Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
But solving this problem doesn’t require first fixing all the data.
—Lewis Wynne-Jones, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Since then that talk has dimmed but his proclamation over the weekend was the first public re-utterance of potential labor action since.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 May 2025
Amber announced the existence of her first baby Oonagh Paige in an Instagram post on July 2021.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 12 May 2025
Adverb
The affidavit says that the victim resisted telling his mother about Sorrells' behavior at first.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
But solving this problem doesn’t require first fixing all the data.
—Lewis Wynne-Jones, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
-
Even in the conference finals against the Miami Heat two seasons ago, Boston won three games in a row to make up for their initial collapse.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
-
Two main issues are conveyed: No credible debt management approach exists.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The signatories of this letter include some of the UK’s foremost experts in artificial intelligence, whose work bridges cutting-edge research and real-world application.—
Philip Salter,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Insofar as the Trump campaign had any specific policy planks, indiscriminate tariffs were foremost among them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
Adverb
-
Under the House Republican proposal, borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE, PAYE, and ICR would be automatically moved into the IBR plan instead, which is a separate program created by Congress.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
-
The program instead asked migrants to apply online, requiring them to secure a U.S.-based financial sponsor in order to secure permission to enter the country and two years of work authorization.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
Gerard Finley’s Antony makes a good partner to this rather domesticated Cleopatra.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
-
The first symptoms that came to a head, so to speak, were rather subtle.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
This program is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort, offering students an opportunity to explore both the theoretical foundations and hands-on applications of artificial intelligence.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
-
By the beginning of the inaugural season, his team had established an initial capacity of 11,131 seats for hockey.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Edward Enninful serves as co-founder and chief creative officer, and Akua Enninful holds the title of co-founder and CEO.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
-
Originally from France, Simo was among the highest-ranking female executives at Facebook, after then-COO Sheryl Sandberg and Marne Levine, who was chief business officer.—
Ari Levy,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
Two years ago, Aidan Butler, chief executive of 1/st Racing, which will operate the Preakness for two years before surrendering to Maryland regulatory agencies, pushed for a new schedule with three or preferably four weeks between races.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
-
To satisfy any of these cravings, Putin will have to reach a peace agreement, preferably supplemented by an economic deal, or series of deals, with Trump.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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