as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
After years of learning the techniques of a long snapper, Olson earned a first-string spot at the position for Orange Lutheran and joined the Trojans in 2015 as a walk-on player.
—
Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
Sarkisian said the former four-star recruit from the suburbs of Mobile, Ala., is working with the first-string offense in practice and appears to be the front-runner for Manning’s top backup spot ahead of Morris, a collegiate journeyman who spent last season at Coastal Carolina.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
While the Steelers gave Warren a modest contract extension just before the start of the season, there really is no definitive first-string running back, which is just the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes it.
—CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
The Colorado product will be expected to improve after operating as the team's first-string quarterback with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 23 Nov. 2025
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
Sarkisian said the former four-star recruit from the suburbs of Mobile, Ala., is working with the first-string offense in practice and appears to be the front-runner for Manning’s top backup spot ahead of Morris, a collegiate journeyman who spent last season at Coastal Carolina.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
While the Steelers gave Warren a modest contract extension just before the start of the season, there really is no definitive first-string running back, which is just the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes it.
—CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
The Colorado product will be expected to improve after operating as the team's first-string quarterback with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 23 Nov. 2025
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
Christopher Sanchez has once again been excellent, and Jacob Misiorowski has often looked unhittable with over 14 strikeouts per nine innings.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The excellent, nonprofit gallery and incubator known as PlatteForum has moved around a bit over the years, and will reopen in the Art District on Santa Fe starting June 5.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In 2024, Fritz & Franz was at risk of losing its lease with the Gables, but the City Commission at the time eventually agreed to renew the lease after the business agreed to pay more for its prime location.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Plimsoll Productions is taking the unusual step of shopping a natural history program to networks and streamers as a format after Secret Garden securing a 30% prime-time audience share and becoming the biggest unscripted launch in the UK this year.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
That could be a terrific part of the B & W story.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
-
Still, Garance’s death stare into the void, where this woman is still hard-boozing 90 minutes into the movie, starts to run its premise thin despite Exarchopoulos’ terrific and totally internalized turn.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Well, Brown needed a few more pitches this time, but the 26-year-old delivered a stellar performance to help the Cubs avoid getting swept at Truist Park.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
For Birmingham, that means discovering what Alabama’s second-largest city really offers—especially its quietly stellar food scene that’s been racking up James Beard nominations.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Jared Harris is superb as Soviet nuclear scientist Valery Legasov, who helps convince apparatchik Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgard) that the situation is sufficiently grave that it can’t be covered up.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
14 May 2026
-
This is why your ability to get things done, especially by working with others or in conjunction with groups, is superb.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The eye-catching color gives off instant vacation vibes, and looks great under a breezy white button-down or simply worn with the matching high-rise bottoms.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
The young people who pick up popular science books at the library tend to be deeply curious and self-motivated—qualities that also characterize great researchers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The aesthetic is going to go a lot of different places across Season 8, too, including two episodes in the round and the finale, which Badner wouldn’t dare spoil but is proud of the wonderful collaboration between the production design, camera, and lighting teams.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
-
Shrubs, such as American filbert (Corylus americana), are a wonderful way to add interest to your landscape throughout multiple seasons.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The shatteringly crispy skin on these chicken thighs is achieved without frying, meaning less mess and oil, but the same lovely crunchy result.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
There’s going to be a little inkling of the night shift personality in the next season, which will be lovely.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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