variants
also No. 1
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
considers international terrorism to be the number one threat to national security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind
the company's chocolate is rated as number one by serious chocoholics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 number one
The question will be, number one is, what are the excesses beyond the insured amounts and the ability to deal with those and the companies, in terms of meeting payrolls?
—
Nbc Universal, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2023
Depositors and workers in the companies whose deposits are in that bank need to be job number one.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2023
The city's even earned the rating of number one most stressful for workers in the U.S., according to a recent report.
—Michael Murney, Chron, 8 Mar. 2023
The number one priority in those situations is the health of the player.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for number one
Nbc Universal, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2023
Depositors and workers in the companies whose deposits are in that bank need to be job number one.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2023
The city's even earned the rating of number one most stressful for workers in the U.S., according to a recent report.
—Michael Murney, Chron, 8 Mar. 2023
The number one priority in those situations is the health of the player.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for number one
Recent Examples of Synonyms for number one
Adjective
-
And one of its main ingredients was a hair product – Afro Sheen.—
Sonari Glinton,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Then the Orion capsule will fire up its main thruster and shoot off towards the Moon on its 240,000-mile, four-day journey.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thus far, Arsenal’s excellent form has relegated the injuries to a subplot.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The carbon nanofiber provides mechanical stability, abundant pore channels, and excellent electrolyte wettability, while the cobalt sites catalyze the adsorption and conversion of polysulfides.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The country's greatest resource is not oil beneath the ground, but people--inside and outside the country--who still care deeply about its future.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This discount shall apply only to the primary residence of the user and shall not apply to separate irrigation meters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last season’s Most Improved Player was the primary defender on Dončić, who was held to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field in 27 minutes.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Special mention must be made of the in-room minibars, which are terrific, and so extensive that they are contained not within a single small fridge but an entire chest of drawers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Lenert made a terrific save on a solid strike by JSerra midfielder Carter Biondolillo, with Lenert diving to his left to make the crucial stop in the second half.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Crime and safety, particularly in Downtown, were the predominant issues in the race, especially after a string of high-profile incidents this summer and fall.—
Jordan Kellogg,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Despite the concerns around African democracy, Afrobarometer’s annual African Insights survey shows voting in elections remains the predominant form of political and civic engagement, with nearly three-quarters of respondents voting in their country’s elections last year.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The guys are awesome; everybody’s been super welcoming.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And what Moana has represented is a really awesome global embrace of Polynesian culture, our values and our qualities and our pride and our mana.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Number one.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/number%20one. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share