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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
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Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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Its sound quality is superb, with deep bass and crisp, clear vocals, and the DTS Headphone:X surround tech adds a lot to the experience.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The story now circulating with ever greater popularity is that Jackson was an innocent bystander in the 1919 World Series fix.—
Cory Franklin,
Twin Cities,
1 June 2025
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Erica’s great grandfather was one of a group of 15 that formed a wine cooperative in Sant’Antioco in 1932, the first in Sardinia.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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My 10-year-old avocado grown from seed produced two wonderful fruits last year.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
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She’s got a wonderful dynamic with Sydney Agudong, who plays Nani.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
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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Regulatory changes are a prime example: While the FDA’s red dye ban is currently making headlines, businesses are continually adjusting their products to comply with new laws and guidelines.—
Stephen DeAngelis,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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