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
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—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
-
For Russia, this began soon after its initial invasion failed to seize control of Kyiv and Ukraine’s government.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Huerta, 58, had been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles since Friday and made his initial appearance in federal court Monday afternoon.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.—
Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
While the offensive was a strategic defeat for the communists, its main casualty was President Lyndon Johnson.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 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
-
So what could have been handled as an unfortunate encounter was instead purposely upgraded for propaganda purposes.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
-
The White House has proposed cutting the USAID OIG’s budget from $85 million to $0, instead folding its responsibilities into a similar agency at the State department with just $2.73 million in additional funding.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
-
On a rather glorious day for terminally online people, The Hollywood Reporter has gathered together some of the best posts that captured the mood of a nation.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
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
-
General Joseph Aoun, the former commander of the armed forces, who in January was elected the country’s new President, made the same points in his inaugural address.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Scale’s interim chief executive is Jason Droege, who was previously chief strategy officer and had past executive roles at Uber Eats and Axon.—
Matt O’Brien,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
-
Clauson-Kaas is chief consultant for the Copenhagen waterworks utility HOFOR, which is overseeing the construction of the tunnel.—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 June 2025
-
Only after the game is complete and preferably following a Florida Panthers victory.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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