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
Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Since Trump’s first term, the hyper-exclusive Bath and Tennis Club next to Mar-a-Lago has been required by Secret Service to let Mar-a-Lago members use its parking lot — a hard pill for the historically restrictive blue-blood enclave to swallow.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
Bailey Richards, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025
Watch for Black Ice Be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas, where black ice forms first.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for first 
Adjective
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Since Trump’s first term, the hyper-exclusive Bath and Tennis Club next to Mar-a-Lago has been required by Secret Service to let Mar-a-Lago members use its parking lot — a hard pill for the historically restrictive blue-blood enclave to swallow.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
Adverb
The musicians were first romantically linked in March 2012 and later split in early 2013, a source confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025
Watch for Black Ice Be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas, where black ice forms first.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
This initial impulse or élan vital is then guided by the fairies Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid and her sister, Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby.—
Ben Woollard,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Trump was last year ordered to pay Carroll $5 million after an initial lawsuit.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Located on the 17th floor of 200 Crescent Court, the locale is a private dining club with a bar and main dining room.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Israel would pull its troops back from Gaza's main population centers in the first stage of the deal, allowing its residents to return to what remains of their homes as more humanitarian aid permeates the Strip and those who are injured receive treatment.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The evening will be hosted by Young, and will feature readings from some of the foremost poetic voices in America.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Sophie Alcorn,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
In the Americas, only Chile and Colombia do not grant birthright citizenship, relying instead on jus sanguinis or citizenship based on ancestry rather than place of birth.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Thousands of his supporters watched a broadcast of the swearing-in at Capitol One Arena instead.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
The freeze on these cases isn't to scrap student debt forgiveness altogether, but rather to take a 'wait-and-see' approach to how the new administration wants to reshape the programs put in place from the one that preceded them.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
President Donald Trump‘s eye-catching foreign policy at the start of his second term is more than just a series of fanciful, off-the-cuff suggestions and is rather an attempt to strong-arm unwilling leaders to the negotiating table, insiders say.—
Christian Datoc,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Several Reddit communities have recently proposed and enacted bans on links to X, formerly known as Twitter, over a controversy involving a gesture made by the social media platform's majority shareholder, Elon Musk, at an inaugural event on Monday.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Vassos made her television debut on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
During the briefings, Johnson’s chief operating officer, John Roberson, nodded to the possibility that GOP control of the presidency and Congress could mean Washington cuts off federal funding to Chicago or Illinois, the sources said.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer of Bleakley Financial Group, cited the U.S’s new sanctions against Russian oil producers as another potential catalyst of a rally in crude oil prices.—
Lisa Kailai Han,Gabriel Cortés,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
This formula comes in a 2-ounce bottle and requires regular use of a few drops on the scalp once a day, preferably at night.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
-
For looking at the night sky, choose at least 10x42, preferably 10x50, which keeps the magnification low enough to easily navigate the night sky while allowing enough light in at night.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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