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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Max Levy, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Researchers first documented the inscriptions using multispectral photography and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), before analyzing the images in a lab.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The first baseman, playing in, then got Caballero in a rundown.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Adams County sheriff’s deputies first responded to a call for service at the home of Jason Stanfield-Parker, 33, in August, according to court documents and Aurora Police Department disciplinary records requested by the Post.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Researchers first documented the inscriptions using multispectral photography and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), before analyzing the images in a lab.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
As with the coal black tree snake, the atra tree snake has thus far only been found on its initial island of discovery, Misima.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Although these prices plummeted to $100 on the day of the show, the initial asking price highlights the financial barrier for many fans hoping to witness the event live.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted just after Trump's inauguration, some 55% of respondents said either inflation or the broader economy should be Trump's main focus in his first 100 days in office, which run through April 30.—
Jason Lange,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The Bills will very likely want to find someone who can offer more versatility somewhere else while being their main returner, and running back might be the best place to find one.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Ferrier,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Later in the series, Lorelai and Sookie buy the Dragonfly Inn, and Michel also makes the jump to work there instead.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not deny the veracity of the article, instead asserting that Israel’s actions have delayed Iran’s nuclear program.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Gerber reminds adults who already have the teething sticks not to give them to their babies, but rather return them to the store for a full refund.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Some, called rogue planets, don't even orbit a star, but are rather floating through the cosmos untethered.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The coming inaugural LlamaCon event (which takes place one day before earnings) is expected to showcase how Meta is building a platform around open-source AI to rival offerings from competitors such as OpenAI and Google.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The foundation will award inaugural grants to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, LA Phil’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and two of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles (NYO2 and NYO Jazz).—
Chris Eggertsen,
Billboard,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Faced with potential federal spending cuts that threaten health coverage and falling childhood vaccination rates, Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California, has a lot on her plate — and on her mind.—
Bernard J. Wolfson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Tom Buckingham, chief growth officer at Nassau Financial Group and retirement planner, told Newsweek that this is for a number of reasons.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
For the Magic to stretch this Eastern Conference first-round series beyond four games, or even hope to threaten the Celtics’ championship defense, someone on the roster — preferably, more than one person — must give Banchero and Wagner some scoring help.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The champagne – preferably Cristal or Veuve Clicquot – flowed, and the gourmet food was presented with flair and then some.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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