(the right of) first refusal
idiom
: the right to have the first choice to buy something on the same terms as offered to someone else
Examples of (the right of) first refusal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Madrid sold 50 per cent of the midfielder’s rights to the Italian side Como for €6million last summer, retaining a right of first refusal and several buy-back clauses until 2027.
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Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
All land on Lord Howe is leasehold, and old-islanders get right of first refusal.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
Incensed at not being offered first refusal on selling Scouts, VW and Audi dealers are demanding VW backtrack and award them the rights to sell those trucks and SUVs.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Xcel ultimately gave Denver the first chance to buy the property, known as a right of first refusal.
—Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (the right of) first refusal
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Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
All land on Lord Howe is leasehold, and old-islanders get right of first refusal.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
Incensed at not being offered first refusal on selling Scouts, VW and Audi dealers are demanding VW backtrack and award them the rights to sell those trucks and SUVs.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Xcel ultimately gave Denver the first chance to buy the property, known as a right of first refusal.
—Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (the right of) first refusal
Cite this Entry
“(the right of) first refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28the%20right%20of%29%20first%20refusal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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