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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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During informational interviews, asking for ideas of great places to keep an eye on is an excellent way to add to your list.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Give your wooden nickel to the mixologist, take your pick between La Babia, an excellent margarita, or Three Emmas, grab a book off the shelf, and take a seat.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Comment Wow, what a terrific series finale to Luthen, the acclaimed Disney+ show about the rebel who challenged an Empire, and also all of the other rebels, mostly by lecturing them incessantly.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
14 May 2025
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Already an Olympic bronze medalist thanks to her play for Team USA's 3 vs. 3 squad at the 2024 Paris games, Van Lith concluded a terrific NCAA career with a final season starring in the Big 12 for Texas Christian University.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Hailey Washington, a senior majoring in marketing at Drexel University in Philadelphia, isn't bullish about her job prospects despite stellar undergraduate performance and indispensable industry experience from an internship at a luxury fashion brand.—
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
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Second, and maybe just as important, the Vikings have produced three years of stellar quarterback infrastructure.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The high-quality tri-ply cladding (two layers of stainless steel with an aluminum core) does a superb job spreading heat evenly across the surface of the pan, delivering consistent and even cooking results.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 May 2025
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With superb cinematography from Jermaine Edwards, the visual look here is almost poetic at times.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Lima Beans 126 mg per cooked cup, or 30% DV In addition to providing magnesium, beans and lentils like lima beans are a great source of fiber and the B vitamin folate.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
20 May 2025
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The scene, staged at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by one of America’s great 19th century philanthropists, paid tribute to a long tradition of American giving, while pointing to new ways of thinking that are shaping the 21st century.—
Sam Jacobs,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Colombia’s coastal cities are famous for their cuisine, but don’t overlook their wonderful street foods.—
Cat Sposato,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2025
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Its deep, shiny green foliage is a wonderful complement to the perfectly peachy hue of each rose.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Groundcovers also cover bare soil that’s prime territory for grass seeds to land and take root.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
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This should position ServiceNow as a prime choice for organizations ready for comprehensive digital transformation, although simpler solutions may be more suitable for those with more straightforward needs.—
Melody Brue,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Why the lovely Mehri falls for such a loser — Hamid is one of the least charming grooms in recent memory — can only by explained by the lack of options available to her.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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The scoring sequence followed a lovely Bobrovsky save on a shorthanded odd-man rush — the Cats firing on all cylinders.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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