as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin, a redshirt sophomore, took first-string snaps in practice, every repetition coveted by a player who has thrown all of five passes in college.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Darnold can surely draw on his scout-team duties against the 49ers’ first-string defense last season and vice versa.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024
As of now, the first-string edge rushers appear to be Jacob Busic and Devin Aupiu, with Drew Tuazama and Grant Buckey backing them up.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024
Puni has been the first-string right guard since the third practice of camp, after Spencer Burford sustained a fractured right hand that has not required surgery.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin, a redshirt sophomore, took first-string snaps in practice, every repetition coveted by a player who has thrown all of five passes in college.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Darnold can surely draw on his scout-team duties against the 49ers’ first-string defense last season and vice versa.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024
As of now, the first-string edge rushers appear to be Jacob Busic and Devin Aupiu, with Drew Tuazama and Grant Buckey backing them up.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024
Puni has been the first-string right guard since the third practice of camp, after Spencer Burford sustained a fractured right hand that has not required surgery.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2025
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He’s been excellent in dealing with traffic, as the Golden Knights put more bodies in front of him on Tuesday than pretty much the first four games.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Gustavsson was terrific, stopping 23 of 25 shots to give the Wild a chance.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Catcher Landon Hodge is terrific defensively and first baseman Josh Stonehouse has supplied surprising power.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
You might be left with tiny scratches that make your once pristine appliances and surfaces look less than stellar.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Pluto may currently be a dwarf planet on the golf apparel sales leaderboard, but if the brand stays on the current trajectory, the future could be stellar.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Without Alvarez, the Mets leaned heavily on Luis Torrens, who played superb defense and supplied key hits (.675 OPS).—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Each has a superb hit tool, with the capability of hitting for a high batting average, while scoring and driving in runs.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And Giuseppe Trevisani, wonderful guy, is my favorite excuse of all.—
Domenico Starnone,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Glitch is another more mobile rogue-type, with a double jump, slide, and a prime ability that amps up her dexterity.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
-
Coen said a prime example of the misunderstandings is the frustration from states where the Trump administration recently denied claims for disaster assistance and denied extensions of certain assistance in others.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Opened just a few years ago, the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel offers excellent service, lovely rooms and terrific food.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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This lovely, leafy city is filled with fun things to do.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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