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
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
-
The initial deadline Thursday was postponed until Monday because of the court battle.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Hound, whose logo is based on Fenske’s own dog, already has built an initial development slate with projects set up at multiple streaming platforms and studios in the US.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Scottsdale crash was caused by mechanical failure, specifically the collapse of the left main landing gear.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Research shows that there are three main reasons why migrants die trying to reach the U.S. from Mexico.—
Marni LaFleur,
The Conversation,
11 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
-
But at the end of the 2020 season, Honda decided to exit the sport again, which was justified at the time as necessary so that the company could focus those resources on alternative powertrains instead.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Whose pursuit of pleasure, readily available to the narcissistic travelers via the luxury hotel’s ample amenities, will instead conclude with pain’s ultimate resting place?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The new collection is a first for Nike, which hasn’t partnered with an outside company before to create a new brand, rather relying on acquisitions or tapping popular athletes (i.e. Michael Jordan) for apparel.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The 27-year-old makes Atalanta’s 5/6 odds to advance rather appealing.—
Brett Koremenos,
The Athletic,
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
-
Richard Painter, a law professor at the University of Minnesota who was the chief ethics lawyer in the administration of President George W. Bush, told CNN in a phone interview that Musk must recuse himself from anything to do with the CFPB or risk violating criminal conflict of interest law.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
-
John McConnell McConnell, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, was nominated by Obama in 2011.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Build it in one of your Cities — preferably in one with high Production — and then complete the Operation Ivy Project to cement your supremacy with the threat of nuclear destruction.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Stovetop method: Fill a large (at least 6-qt.) stockpot with 12 cups of water (preferably filtered).—
Alexis deBoschnek,
Bon Appétit,
5 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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