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
Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
For her first appearance in the popular sketch, Carpenter took on Ariana Grande's role as the tone-deaf bestie singing at a couple's vow renewal.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2025
The Italian fashion group first invested in the brand in 2008 with a 51 percent stake and raised it to 70 percent in 2019.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first major appearance since leaving office on Jan. 20 to accept the Chairman’s Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 22.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
For her first appearance in the popular sketch, Carpenter took on Ariana Grande's role as the tone-deaf bestie singing at a couple's vow renewal.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The big night will come more than a decade after the 14-time Grammy winner first made her hosting debut in 2013.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2025
The Italian fashion group first invested in the brand in 2008 with a 51 percent stake and raised it to 70 percent in 2019.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
Current case numbers include those that occurred between the initial 2018 incident and now, as the outbreak is ongoing. Need a break?—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The Israeli military said the three were in their custody and would undergo an initial medical assessment before being reunited with their families.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s different this time is how Wilds‘ main antagonist, the White Wraith, behaves.—
Josh Broadwell,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Egg is one of the nine main food allergens, along with milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Before becoming one of America’s foremost historians, a Pulitzer Prize winner and writer of seminal books on Abraham Lincoln (a basis for the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln), Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Teddy Roosevelt and Johnson, Kearns Goodwin became a White House Fellow under LBJ.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
-
At his death in 1996, he was considered one of the country’s foremost historians of the Black experience in America.—
Jeffrey Boutwell,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Next, was the model’s turn, but Peltz used it as a runway instead.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
-
My skin didn't look too shiny or reflective—instead, my foundation had a subtle radiance.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The 27-year-old makes Atalanta’s 5/6 odds to advance rather appealing.—
Brett Koremenos,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
As such, using it as a Windows touchscreen tablet is rather awkward.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
After last year’s inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, Batiste has brought the event back for its second iteration and this time, he will be joined by Janelle Monáe, Chaka Khan, and Willow.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Unrivaled will crown a winner of its inaugural 1-on-1 tournament Friday, the latest innovation from a league already well ahead of its competitors.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Dana Levenson was the city’s chief financial officer from 2004 to 2007.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The private sector and the military were arguably better positioned to become the chief stewards of American scientific inquiry.—
Trysh Travis / Made by History,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
By Emily Tannenbaum February 17, 2025 The SNL 50 Anniversary Special was the hottest ticket in town on February 16—preferably right next to Emma Stone and her custom Louis Vuitton dress filled with popcorn.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2025
-
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.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to first
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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