1
as in initial
coming before all others in time or order
the much-studied first—and last—voyage of the Titanic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in main
coming before all others in importance
there are a number of reasons we can't go, but the first is that we don't have the money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in foremost
highest in rank or authority
auditioned and got first clarinet in the band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in instead
as a substitute
eat peas? I'd eat cockroaches first
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in rather
by choice or preference
we will not give in, but will fight for our freedom first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of first
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Max Levy, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Researchers first documented the inscriptions using multispectral photography and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), before analyzing the images in a lab.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
The first baseman, playing in, then got Caballero in a rundown.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Adams County sheriff’s deputies first responded to a call for service at the home of Jason Stanfield-Parker, 33, in August, according to court documents and Aurora Police Department disciplinary records requested by the Post.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Researchers first documented the inscriptions using multispectral photography and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), before analyzing the images in a lab.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Clark made the initial comments in her interview in December with Time Magazine and refreshed those remarks in her interview with comedian David Letterman.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
His remarks came as markets began to stabilize following initial uncertainty about the administration's trade tactics.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The first drop pays homage to Jackson, Wyo., where Season 2 begins, after the two main characters found temporary refuge there in Season 1.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Ferrier,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
With his ship now loaded well beyond its normal capacity, the Carpathia’s captain didn’t concern himself with the bodies of the dead but instead set a course for New York City.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But then Johnson instead fought those efforts, Ethics Committee Chair Ald.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Madrid, whose calendar is now rather less full, have wounded egos to repair.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Some, called rogue planets, don't even orbit a star, but are rather floating through the cosmos untethered.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The Treasure’s inaugural season will offer seven-day Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida’s Port Canaveral.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Before his stint in New York, Mengelberg became the youngest chief conductor of the city’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1895, when he was appointed at 24.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Extreme temperatures are fueled by the climate crisis, the chief driver of which is the burning of fossil fuels.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
For kids 6 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends behavior therapy and medication, preferably together.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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