number one

adjective

variants also No. 1
Definition of number onenext
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 Talked about number one in the country a year ago and some of our championships. — Tom Green | [email protected], al, 15 Mar. 2023 And North Carolina, last year's runner up and this year's preseason number one, missed out entirely. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 13 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 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
  1. main
  2. excellent
  3. primary
  4. great
  5. predominant
  6. wonderful
  7. foremost
  8. terrific
Adjective
  • The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Alas, this excellent advice goes into one of Joe’s ears and out the other.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Owls are predators whose eyes are positioned on the front of their heads, giving them excellent depth perception.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • In 2025, Kelley told PEOPLE exclusively that his wife was his primary motivation for pursuing sobriety.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Fields and Mooney, who should take Austin’s place as the primary slot receiver, will be the other starters.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • So the Fed's predominant focus right now should be on prices.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Environmental samples collected from the market, specifically in areas where wildlife sales were predominant, contained SARS-CoV-2 genetic material.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • On the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, AI’s foremost critic is flouting the dress code.
    — Jack Holmes, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Move to Manchester The TV Festival’s impending move to Manchester was one of the foremost topics of conversation at this year’s edition.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • To me, an important part about sports is the memories that continue for so long after the events, and these two columns by two terrific writers truly brought that home.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Loving spouses disappoint us, supportive parents fail us, close friends misunderstand us, and even terrific children create enormous stress.
    — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

numberless
number one
numbers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Number one.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/number%20one. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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