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.
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Recent Examples of first
Tucker Reals, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Now, Rory McIlroy, who needed 17 tries to win his first green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam, is in position to join more elite company.
—Fletcher Page, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
There might not be a popping noise when the jar is first opened.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The attacks come a day after Lebanon and Israel's ambassadors to the United States held their first direct talks in decades in Washington and agreed to hold further direct negotiations, with the Lebanese envoy calling for a ceasefire.
—Tucker Reals, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Now, Rory McIlroy, who needed 17 tries to win his first green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam, is in position to join more elite company.
—Fletcher Page, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Cook first came to attention as the creator of Spill Sesh, a YouTube’ pop culture commentary channel that now has nearly 500 million lifetime views.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
There might not be a popping noise when the jar is first opened.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
The council, in granting initial approval, said petitioners must provide a full development plan and agree to improvements at the site.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping mall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But the leak appeared to get worse when the service module fired its main engine for the translunar injection burn on Day 2 of the flight, according to Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Just last month it was reported that Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers organiser, raped women and girls, and Noam Chomsky—one of the left’s foremost intellectuals whose most popular book is called Manufacturing Consent—is right there on the Epstein private jet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The number of people with severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and deadly kind, is expected to increase to 800,000, the world’s foremost experts on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in February.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Squatriglia sometimes makes the booking request using a spouse’s bio instead.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But the combo turned out to be a bit too loud, Day explained after a practice round early in the week, so the club asked him to tone things down by wearing some khaki pants instead.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
This is the season to embrace perfumes that don’t overwhelm but rather float on the skin, enhancing your natural allure with every warm breeze.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In the piece, the Vicar of Christ is felled not by his oppressors but rather by a random cosmic event.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of the leaders from the first event will stay put for the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilization, held at the same venue later on Saturday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Attending that inaugural festival was then-teenage Jeff Horowitz who, after that cruise, would make an annual father-son trip to Ebertfest, Ebert’s terrestrial film festival in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During the call, chief operating officer Dan Janki ruled out short-term concerns about jet fuel shortages.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Outside of the labels, Moises AI, a non-generative AI music service that provides tools for musicians (like vocal isolation and mastering) appointed Charlie Puth as its chief music officer earlier this month, with the singer serving as a consultant for the company’s creative and product direction.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
While conversing with fans on X, he was asked for a good story following the Super Bowl LIV win, preferably about coach Andy Reid.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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