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
David Remnick, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
To minimize the unending fusillade of Trump’s first weeks in office, to choose to turn away, to shut off the news, is to indulge in self-soothing.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The pup was first spotted outside a seafood restaurant on Saturday after reportedly wandering up from the beach.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
One of the fastest-growing trends is Access-as-a-Service, where initial access brokers specialize in infiltrating networks and then selling entry points to ransomware groups and other threat actors.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
While the team has become the most successful spring football league franchise, dating back to the years of the initial United States Football League in the 1980s, the Stallions’ growing trophy collection hasn’t quite translated to the team’s bottom line.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to a cozy and updated three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot main home, there’s a small 19th-century cabin with a rock chimney still standing on the property.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Mar. 2025
-
My one and only visit was decades ago, in middle school, when my main priority was riding the roller coaster.—
Mariah Tyler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The biographical circumstances and the reddish tinge of the foremost prisoner’s hair have led commentators to interpret the image metaphorically, even solipsistically––the prisoner becomes a cipher for van Gogh, physically and psychologically incarcerated.—
Sarah C. Schaefer,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Christian Oberbeck,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
It is instead being played in Dubai which has always stepped in when cricket is tangled in politics.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
After Gabriel breaks her heart, Beth defers her dreams and marries a doting farmer instead.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
But the win seemed rather improbable just 48 hours ago.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The next generation of geothermal-energy projects—including FORGE, in Utah—was not about harvesting natural steam but, rather, drilling to create steam.—
Brent Crane,
The New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Tyra Banks was also recognized with the inaugural Luminary Spotlight Award, celebrating her enduring legacy in fashion, film, and television.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The inaugural event sold out Barcelona’s over 90,000 seat capacity Camp Nou stadium.—
Asli Pelit,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, had led the queries into the couple’s deaths from her lab in Albuquerque.—
Rick Jervis,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said that revenge killings stopped early Saturday.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Use strong multifactor authentication, preferably passkeys or FIDO U2F keys, and audit user permissions regularly.—
Julio Fort,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Russia will be particularly interested in minimizing security guarantees for Ukraine, and so such guarantees would preferably be agreed on by Ukraine and its allies prior to negotiations with Russia.—
Tetiana Kyselova,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to first
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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