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
David Remnick, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
To minimize the unending fusillade of Trump’s first weeks in office, to choose to turn away, to shut off the news, is to indulge in self-soothing.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The pup was first spotted outside a seafood restaurant on Saturday after reportedly wandering up from the beach.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 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
-
While The Charlotte Observer cannot confirm or deny the hyperbole, two things can be proven in regards to the downtown main street: infrastructure construction is complete and many more people are calling Union Street home.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2025
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The group was dealt another blow with the fall of the Assad family's five-decade rule in Syria in early December, which blocked a main route for the flow of weapons and money from Iran.—
BASSEM MROUE,
arkansasonline.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The biographical circumstances and the reddish tinge of the foremost prisoner’s hair have led commentators to interpret the image metaphorically, even solipsistically––the prisoner becomes a cipher for van Gogh, physically and psychologically incarcerated.—
Sarah C. Schaefer,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Christian Oberbeck,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The center warns beachgoers to not interact with the animals on the beach and instead contact their team for help with distressed animals.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Her vision goes beyond traditional sports programming, aiming instead for a platform that reflects the full spectrum of her interests and experiences.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
But the win seemed rather improbable just 48 hours ago.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The next generation of geothermal-energy projects—including FORGE, in Utah—was not about harvesting natural steam but, rather, drilling to create steam.—
Brent Crane,
The New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Tyra Banks was also recognized with the inaugural Luminary Spotlight Award, celebrating her enduring legacy in fashion, film, and television.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
28 Feb. 2025
-
After Trump won the election, Bezos’ Amazon joined with numerous other tech giants in donating hefty sums to the then-president-elect’s inaugural fund.—
Kevin Breuninger,Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
By Matt Lowe, chief strategy officer for MasterControl.—
Matt Lowe,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Dana Levenson was the city’s chief financial officer from 2004 to 2007.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
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
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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 6 Mar. 2025.
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