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
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
So, for the first time since 2004, James won’t be on the All-NBA teams.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Miami placed first with 250 winning tickets and Orlando third with 188.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
While Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship to Epstein has been known for years, the January document dump was the first time the Norwegian princess' correspondence became publicly available.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
So, for the first time since 2004, James won’t be on the All-NBA teams.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The classes were small at first, comprising mostly Sharon’s brothers and a few of their friends.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Miami placed first with 250 winning tickets and Orlando third with 188.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
The initial indictment filed in November accused Clase of rigging pitches in specific games between May 2023 and June 2025.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The model presented was the Changan Nevo A06, also known as the Qiyuan A06, which serves as the initial platform for the new battery technology.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The drinks themselves Berghain’s drink selection is certainly not the club’s main point of attraction.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Then his main competitor, Yuma Yagiyama of Japan, had a subpar skate just before Malinin took the ice as the last skater of the night.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Here are the foremost players who hit that category for the Broncos in 2026, according to OvertheCap.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Almost all of them include whirlpool baths on their terraces; those that don’t instead have semi-private pools just a few steps from the bed.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
For a filling lunch or easy and light dinner, skip the chicken and instead top this farrow and snap pea salad with your favorite piece of fish like mahi mahi, tuna, or salmon.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
For another, this drubbing, unlike many previous ones, was triggered not by fears of a bubble but rather concern that AI is on the verge of supplanting the business models of a wide swathe of companies that doomsayers have long predicted were at risk.—
Brody Ford,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
According to this idea, although these objects may look like supersize red stars, their shine is powered not by standard stellar thermonuclear fusion but rather by the relentless funneling of burning-hot plasma into the insatiable maw of a snowballing black hole.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Being able to stay home and not have to leave their older child was the main reason the Schapanskys agreed to have Avry Jo be the inaugural patient.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Following the successful inaugural edition last year—attracting over 500 applications, 21 finalists and three winners—the 2026 program will swell its impact across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As part of the acquisition, Achillo Pinto’s chief financial officer Andrea Rossi has been named chief executive officer of Canepa 1966, which will continue to operate as a fully independent business entity, albeit integrated into the Achillo Pinto manufacturing ecosystem.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hager became chief in 2023 and overall spent 12 years with the city, including working as an administrative captain in the police department.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For many of us, a spritz is best enjoyed under a blazing sun, preferably next to the water, maybe wearing as little as possible.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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