as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking
surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
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Recent Examples of first-line
Standard treatments for sleep apnea The standard first-line treatment for OSA is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which uses a mask to deliver pressurized air that keeps the airway open during sleep.
—
Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The first-line treatments are anti-amoebic eye drops such as chlorhexidine, propamidine isethionate, hexamidine or PHMB, which is unlicensed in some countries, including the United States, Lorenzo-Morales said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
The result is that first-line antibiotics become ineffective for simple infections so that stronger, more expensive, intravenous-only drugs become required.
—Neil Gaffin, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
The first-line preventive drug for acute mountain sickness, or AMS, is a drug called acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The first-line treatments are anti-amoebic eye drops such as chlorhexidine, propamidine isethionate, hexamidine or PHMB, which is unlicensed in some countries, including the United States, Lorenzo-Morales said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
The result is that first-line antibiotics become ineffective for simple infections so that stronger, more expensive, intravenous-only drugs become required.
—Neil Gaffin, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
The first-line preventive drug for acute mountain sickness, or AMS, is a drug called acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-line
Adjective
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The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Edible Arrangements Save up to 25% off on select Valentine's Day gifts and get free next-day delivery on orders of $79 or more.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 2026
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The style code for the Nike Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble SP Neon Paisley Bandana is IQ0620-100and it’s expected to be released in limited quantities from select retailers.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Contestants Cirie Fields, Season 42 challenge beast Jonathan Young, and Season 48 favorite Joe Hunter are trailing far behind Bracco in both markets.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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One of Griffey’s favorite memories from that first WBC was the reaction from teammate Todd Jones after Griffey hit a home run in a 17-0 rout of South Africa.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That’s generally been their preferred method, as the Yanks haven’t committed big money to a free agent reliever since Zack Britton ($39 million) and Adam Ottavino ($27 million) signed three-year contracts in January 2019.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Most typically vote like partisans, in favor of their preferred party.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Greece has long been a favored gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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For Bezos, this would reduce the role of the Post as a headache and a threat to other, more favored endeavors, such as his rocket company, Blue Origin.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-line. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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