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
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
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
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Into this mid-1980s maelstrom stepped the fanzines and a wonderful array of titles.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
The English cook and writer’s 2006 book is a heartfelt hymn for wonderful food and flavors, without hours spent toiling in the kitchen or overly formal settings.—
Hayley Maitland,
Vogue,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Though these deals are for members only, anyone can sign up for an Amazon prime membership.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2025
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Degree programs in entertainment design, illustration and graphic design with a motion design emphasis prime students to work in visual development, directing, art direction, title sequences and more.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Trailing types make a lovely ground cover at the edge of a rain garden.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
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Nini Berndt makes lovely work of this bruise-writing, the kind of devastation that leaves you with your fist pressed to your lips, aching hard for everyone involved.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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