as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
If the coach wanted this year’s QB ti be a rusher, like Leonard, (and take plays from Love and Price), why not use Minchey as the first-string QB instead?
—
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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The openings can keep your feet cool or give you an excellent way to show off some eye-catching socks once the weather get cooler.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Audi's done a terrific job applying a restrained retro-futuristic approach to the interiors.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The Detroit Lions went 15-2 last season, finishing with the best record in the NFC behind an explosive offense and some terrific coaching.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Allen finished with 424 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns; Jackson had 279 and three scores of his own in another stellar effort.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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In addition to stellar dining choices, the bars in the neighborhood offer some of the most creative cocktails and mocktails in town.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Kansas’ sixth-year man Jalon Daniels put superb touches on a pair of touchdown passes.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Delaying this meal was linked with greater risk of death in a sizable 20-year study.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
4 Sep. 2025
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It’s been three weeks since a historic flood put the greater Milwaukee area under water.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But if Julia’s delivery of her first child is about as wonderful as pushing a human out of your body can get — even the lighting is dreamy — her second child’s delivery is the exact opposite.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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Morticia has this wonderful lighter look into the world as opposed to Wednesday.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Several were seriously injured in the Portuguese capital, known for its streetcars, which are a prime tourist attraction.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
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The loose cushions do seem prime for fort building.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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People want to include crape myrtles and roses-of-Sharon as their privacy plants, for example, and both of those, while lovely in summer, would be bare and drab in the winter.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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It’s been really lovely, also exhausting.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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