first among equals

noun phrase

: the leader of a group of people who is officially considered equal in rights and status to the other members of the group
As a director, he encourages collaboration and considers himself only (the) first among equals.

Examples of first among equals in a Sentence

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Gara naturally takes to the cause and emerges as first among equals. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026 Roosevelt showed that the president was not first among equals. — Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 20 June 2026 Noah Wyle is first among equals, as the star and executive producer. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Jan. 2026 In the Post-Impressionist pantheon, the French painter Paul Cézanne is first among equals. — J. S. Marcus, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first among equals

Rhymes for first among equals

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first aid kit
first among equals
first and foremost
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Cite this Entry

“First among equals.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20among%20equals. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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