as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 July 2025
-
One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Cody Bellinger, a terrific defender, couldn’t find an Ernie Clement flyball in the lights in the sixth inning, which officially resulted in a one-out triple.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
-
This generates terrific tidal forces within the star that simultaneously squash it horizontally while stretching it vertically.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The typically stellar defender can’t afford to do so on the other side of the ball, too.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 July 2025
-
Picturesque views of the Las Vegas Strip are largely limited to rooms, but at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, beautiful panoramic vistas are also accompanied by stellar cocktails and bites.—
Christina Liao,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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But don't think of it as a gimmick bottling, Foley is a legend in the wine industry and has been crafting superb bourbon under his Charles Goodnight Whiskey brand for almost a decade.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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On so many days and nights when their bats might as well have been toothpicks, the Padres have won games with superb pitching and solid defense.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Dropping that grenade on the audience with so little time left to feel the impact does Jill little justice, but DeWitt does, in fairness, invest great pathos in her.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
20 July 2025
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This is a place where costumes do a lot of heavy lifting, and Cady is a great example, her wardrobe shows us what is happening to her inside.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brad Schmitt Hey there, new neighbors, and welcome back to our intro to Nashville and all the wonderful things the city has to offer you.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
-
Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Situated on prime beachfront lots, the five- and six-bedroom villas from The Beach Collection range from 7,300 to 8,500 square feet and offer unparalleled privacy and exclusivity.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
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The friendly birds are sometimes hand-fed, eating salmon, shrimp and prime rib scraps from the hotel.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Playful and complex, just a lovely wine to enjoy with friends.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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This week’s picks include a Park Slope two-bedroom with a pair of wood-burning fireplaces and a one-bedroom on Clinton Hill’s historic mansion row with a lovely triple-bay window.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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