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
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
John Lewis, who currently has a first look deal with Platinum Dunes, has partnered with the company on the three-picture slate.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Burr first described going to the island country of Bahrain — which is more socially liberal than Saudi Arabia — where a customs agent immediately clocked his anxiety about doing stand-up in the region and gave him grief about it.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The first animals to inhabit the Earth may have been sea sponges, a new study by geochemists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has suggested.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
John Lewis, who currently has a first look deal with Platinum Dunes, has partnered with the company on the three-picture slate.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Even if leaders did strike an agreement, the House would have to pass it first — and House Republicans are out of town through the end of the week.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Burr first described going to the island country of Bahrain — which is more socially liberal than Saudi Arabia — where a customs agent immediately clocked his anxiety about doing stand-up in the region and gave him grief about it.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Arsenal’s flanks were regularly targeted despite Jeglertz admitting the initial game plan was to sear through Arsenal’s middle.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Greek Yogurt Has More Protein If your main goal is to include more protein in your diet, consider breakfasts featuring Greek yogurt.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The Maine Wire reported that the woman was expecting a delivery of rice, paper plates, and a toy lightsaber, but instead discovered the ballots inside her Amazon package.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Those who instead see a flexible talent pool as a strategic advantage in building a dynamic and flexible company probably will fare better.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The audience for wax museums is melting away in the digital age, when posing with a static dummy has come to feel rather quaint.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The simplicity is intentional so your eye isn't bouncing, but rather gliding through the room.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tyler Reddick came in sixth after collecting a stage win in AJ Allmendinger’s win two years ago, and inaugural pole-sitter Kurt Busch earned a fifth-place finish in 2018.—
Shane Connuck
October 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Fu Wentao, chief pilot of the Jiaolong manned submersible, the team expanded the vessel’s usual single-point operating method during the Arctic mission.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Knudsen, chief scientific adviser in research and early development at Novo Nordisk, played a pivotal role in turning it into an effective drug promoting weight loss that millions of people take today.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
An internal email circulated among lawmakers urged members to sign up for time slots and engage in live discussions, preferably with fellow representatives.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
For new-build stadiums, however, the FA recommends there should be a minimum of three metres and, preferably, a four-metre gap.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share