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
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
The series begins with his shocking arrest and traverses his first police interview; the detectives on the case at his school, groping for clarity on a senseless crime; and how his family navigates both their raw new reality and their past decisions.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
After nearly a month, they were deported to Colombia, arriving March 18, the Orange County Register first reported.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Though this was Cooper’s first big role, it’s already yielded him further opportunities.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
The series begins with his shocking arrest and traverses his first police interview; the detectives on the case at his school, groping for clarity on a senseless crime; and how his family navigates both their raw new reality and their past decisions.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Originally from North Carolina, he was initially drafted by the Yankees in 2005 and was first called up in 2008 before becoming a regular starter the following season.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
After nearly a month, they were deported to Colombia, arriving March 18, the Orange County Register first reported.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
The method of initial infection is not fully confirmed but is suspected to involve malicious websites, fake promotions on social media or SMS, and third-party app stores.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
From the initial rumors to their recent reunion, here's a complete timeline of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell's friendship with the most recent updates up top.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Sean Penn co-stars as the film’s main villain, a steely-eyed colonel who looked pretty frigging scary in the footage, while Benicio del Toro is DiCaprio’s gun-toting, gonzo comrade.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The president has touted these tariffs as a way to help the US government rely less on income taxes as a main form of revenue.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the world’s foremost JFK assassination experts thinks there’s nothing in the mountains of classified government files that President Donald Trump ordered released this week that points away from Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman that sunny day in Dallas 61 years ago.—
Josh Meyer,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Robert Brill, Brill Media Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Across the world, Burmese people living overseas have echoed that concern, instead imploring those who wish to help to donate to grassroots organizations.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Patrick has instead emphasized the years of acting classes he's taken to develop his craft in an interview with PEOPLE.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford are opening the year on the IL, a rather rough introduction for a rotation that is high on upside and low on durability.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Given the significant amount of uncertainty, a rather brief statement by the Chancellor was not unexpected.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
No guarantees Success is never assured on the inaugural launch of a new rocket.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Released just ahead of their inaugural fan convention, JONASCON, taking place at New Jersey’s American Dream on Sunday (March 23), the song arrives as part of the band’s 20th anniversary celebrations.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The upturn was the result of somewhat lower mortgage interest rates and more homes for sale, said Jordan Levine, senior vice president and chief economist at the California Association of Realtors.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Previously, Gray spent more than 13 years at Adidas with his most recent role as senior business unit director of U.S. basketball and was the chief marketing officer at sports supplement brand Ladder, cofounded by LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Pour out leftover water, preferably into a nearby plant.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Chicago Blackhawks – Connor Bedard is a tremendous talent, but the Hawks need a sidekick of equal skill – preferably someone bigger than Bedard’s 5-foot-10 stature – to take some heat off him.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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