as in excellent
of the very best kind
wanted a first-rate bike and not the cheap model she had been using
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-rate
The first film produced by Cruise and Paula Wagner’s production company, 1996’s Mission: Impossible sported a first-rate cast, a screenplay by top-shelf talent including Steven Zaillian, David Koepp, and Robert Towne, and direction from A-lister Brian De Palma.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Still on the fence about grabbing your own MasterClass subscription and unlocking priceless insights from four first-rate leaders in the skin care industry?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
The supporting cast also is first-rate, if not given a lot of screen time, with romantic interests for Julie including Nicholas Braun as a mentalist hired for Russ’ birthday party and a naked, guitar-playing Don Juan named Jackson (Charlie Gillespie).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 May 2025
That’s because Dolby Cinema screens will always have first-rate seats, which can’t always be said of an IMAX screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-rate
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Still on the fence about grabbing your own MasterClass subscription and unlocking priceless insights from four first-rate leaders in the skin care industry?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
The supporting cast also is first-rate, if not given a lot of screen time, with romantic interests for Julie including Nicholas Braun as a mentalist hired for Russ’ birthday party and a naked, guitar-playing Don Juan named Jackson (Charlie Gillespie).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 May 2025
That’s because Dolby Cinema screens will always have first-rate seats, which can’t always be said of an IMAX screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-rate
Adjective
-
Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
With no wind or other elements for the players to confront, both produced some terrific tennis for stretches.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
-
Esquivel didn’t allow an earned run in a terrific game-one performance against Lovejoy.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Once again, the guest cast is superb: Bill Camp, sporting a magnificent handlebar mustache, is gloriously gruff as Wall Street power broker J.P. Morgan, who joins George in his railroad scheme.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
12 June 2025
-
The subterranean concert hall has superb sound and aesthetics—the work of the Italian-Danish duo GramFratesi, who drew inspiration from Epicurean philosophy, ancient Greece and the history of artistic expression through the ages—and it’s arranged with great precision and attention to detail.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
My 10-year-old avocado grown from seed produced two wonderful fruits last year.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Tanja Caldwell designed the wonderful costumes for Mara Block Ali’s Netflix series, Forever.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
No putt was more important than his 20-foot par putt up the ridge on No. 9 to finish off a great round the right way.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
-
The idea was to allow developers to build more profitable market-rate apartments using greater height and density while providing financial support to balance out the lower rents for workforce tenants.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
End of first period: Panthers 3, Edmonton 0 Anton Lundell scored off a fantastic Carter Verhaeghe forecheck and assist with 41.7 seconds left in the first period to give the Panthers a fat 3-0 lead after the first period.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
-
Warmest condolences to his family, friends and, so importantly, his fantastic legion of FANS!!!—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The lovely gorge setting makes Screw Auger a popular place to visit in the summer.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
-
Trailing types make a lovely ground cover at the edge of a rain garden.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
If history is any indication, this stellar earnings season and the ensuing May rally mean investors may be in for some rocky times ahead.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
2 June 2025
-
The expectation after that stellar season was that the Kings were ready to make the next step nd establish themselves as the Western Conference powerhouse.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-rate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share