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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of first
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Gerber said while the U.S. doesn’t necessarily need to bring t-shirt manufacturing back onshore to secure the country, the Midwest has already benefited from Trump’s first presidency and will benefit even more from his second term.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 May 2025
The technology has been a talker since Monsters Unchained was first announced.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Gerber said while the U.S. doesn’t necessarily need to bring t-shirt manufacturing back onshore to secure the country, the Midwest has already benefited from Trump’s first presidency and will benefit even more from his second term.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adverb
The Last of Us Part II, released on the PlayStation 4 in 2020, allowed players to experience the story first as Ellie before shifting back in time to tell the same sequence of events but from Abby's perspective.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 May 2025
The technology has been a talker since Monsters Unchained was first announced.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Four out of the five former Biden White House officials tapped for congressional interviews have made initial contact with the committee via their lawyers since the chairman sent his letters on May 22, a source familiar with the panel’s work told the Washington Examiner.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
29 May 2025
-
Cancel For Any Reason coverage Up to 75% reimbursement for nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 20 days of your initial trip deposit.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
The golden flying snake bears two main color morphs — a green-yellow form sports bold black streaks and occasional reddish dorsal spots, and another form where the same base hues are overlaid with subtler crossbars.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
It was later expanded to include four main ventilation channels (and some 50,000 smaller shafts) serving seven levels, which could be closed off from the inside with a large rolling stone.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
The foremost conflict playing out across the Middle East today is between Israel and Iran, a nation that already possesses a sophisticated and large-scale nuclear program.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Adverb
-
And the state instead just decided to attack his credibility.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Focus your energy instead on compromise and long-term peace with the right people.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Adverb
-
Ten years later, Jamie Wyeth remains not only my favorite artist but a rather unexpected style muse for his unapologetically unique dress sense.—
Caroline Reilly,
Robb Report,
6 June 2025
-
Trump and Musk traded barbs in a rather public feud, with the U.S. president threatening to pull back billions of dollars in government contracts for Musk's companies, while the Tesla CEO suggested Trump could not have won the election without him.—
Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
By the end of the expansion draft, each inaugural six team will have lost exactly four players, and each expansion team will have 12 players on its roster.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Each passenger aboard the inaugural flight found a card offering a free box of whisky tea or Scottish breakfast tea from Whittard’s Edinburgh store, a stone’s throw from the new 100 Princes Street hotel.—
Nathan Tavares,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
The best thing small businesses can do right now is to be flexible and diversify their sourcing and procurement strategies, says Tala Akhavan, chief operating officer of Pietra, a platform that helps brands with sourcing, production and logistics among other services.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
-
Michael serves as co-executive chair of Rhode’s board and Lauren is President and chief brand officer.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adverb
-
Boats are only allowed beyond those points, preferably to watch from the ocean, by taking a vessel out to nearby Zach’s Bay.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
-
Scarpa recommends picking a heat pump with the highest seasonal energy efficiency rating, preferably above 15.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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