as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking
surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
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Recent Examples of first-line
The first-line treatments are anti-amoebic eye drops such as chlorhexidine, propamidine isethionate, hexamidine or PHMB, which is unlicensed in some countries, including the United States, Lorenzo-Morales said.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
The result is that first-line antibiotics become ineffective for simple infections so that stronger, more expensive, intravenous-only drugs become required.
—Neil Gaffin, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
The first-line preventive drug for acute mountain sickness, or AMS, is a drug called acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
However, it's not typically considered a first-line option.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
The result is that first-line antibiotics become ineffective for simple infections so that stronger, more expensive, intravenous-only drugs become required.
—Neil Gaffin, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
The first-line preventive drug for acute mountain sickness, or AMS, is a drug called acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
However, it's not typically considered a first-line option.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-line
Adjective
-
The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Although the club has been operating at less than the full 3,800-4,000 daily capacity, there is anecdotal evidence from cruise passengers on Facebook and Cruise Critic that the club has been sold out on select sailings recently.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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Its glow fell upon the select gathering, personally assembled by Soo Hoo — among them, founder of the Vivino wine app, Heini Zachariassen, certified Master of Wine and commentator Ned Goodwin and editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate, William Kelley.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Fan favorite and three-time World Series champion, Kiké Hernandez became a free agent after last season and has not signed a new contract.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
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Borrowing elements from Adidas’ fan-favorite Gazelle style, this version ups the comfort level with a layered gumsole for double the shock absorption.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bhumjaithai is seen as the main defender and preferred choice of the royalist-military establishment.—
GRANT PECK,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
One option is rolling with a six-man rotation, which would keep Crawford or Sandoval in their preferred role while building in extra rest for the others.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Greece has long been a favored gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For Bezos, this would reduce the role of the Post as a headache and a threat to other, more favored endeavors, such as his rocket company, Blue Origin.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-line. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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