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
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Recent Examples of first
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Her daughter, Isabel, would be the first of the Caballeros to open her own circus, as a way to earn income during the Mexican Revolution.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
The gala first launched in 2015.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
In those first days of sobriety, the part of yourself that has been scabbed over with substances for so long is finally exposed, shivery and unprotected, to life dead sober.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Her daughter, Isabel, would be the first of the Caballeros to open her own circus, as a way to earn income during the Mexican Revolution.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Adverb
Japanese company Sanrio first launched the property in 1974, and plans have been in the works for a decade to bring Hello Kitty to the big screen.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
The gala first launched in 2015.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Last week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported hotel bookings for most host cities have tracked below initial forecasts, with particular weakness seen in Kansas City, where as many as 90% of respondents said sales were trailing a typical summer.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
The Panthers’ draft picks were given their initial jersey numbers during rookie camp.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
William Phillips,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Activities As a union, the NUJ’s foremost duty is to its members.—
Idir Ouahes,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
20 May 2026
Adverb
-
Headrick threw sinker after sinker, trying to get Soto to ground into a double play, but the Yankee-turned-Met drew a walk instead.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
The late Pope Francis famously stayed away from the big European centers of Christianity during his 12-year pontificate, preferring instead to visit small Catholic communities far from Rome.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adverb
-
That means viewership around such stuff is smaller, and the networks need to show that ads are reaching not the most people, but rather the most likely people to be interested in a bottle of soda, a specific kind of running shoe, or a new weight-loss drug.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
That’s because the government’s gas tax isn’t collected right at the pump, but rather at the wholesale level.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Shilpa and Jesse answer your questions and also award the inaugural Baker of the Month to one lucky listener whose bake stood out on BA Bake Club Substack page.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
-
The Valkyries sold out all 22 of their home games in its inaugural season last year and has done so in the first two games at 18,064-capacity Chase Center in 2026.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Kerry Haigh, the chief championships director at the PGA responsible for creating the test, made full use of the severely undulated greens at Aronimink that contributed to the bunched leaderboard, and required control of every shot from tee-to-green.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
The judge also found that the public interest strongly favors transparency, particularly, the court noted, when the chief election official is himself a candidate in the election being administered.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adverb
-
Attendees are asked to bring a dish of food to share, preferably in a disposable container.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
-
To make one, grab a clean, thick sock (preferably a larger one) and fill it with uncooked rice, oats, or flaxseed.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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