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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of first
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Made to mark the 25th anniversary, in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, this powerful three-part series brings those individuals back together, many for the first time since that day.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
School officials first notified sixth-grade families about the incident in an April 21 message.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Adjective
Tens of thousands of fans awaited excitedly outside the landmark Tokyo stadium to watch BTS in their first concert outside South Korea after the K-pop megastars kicked off their world tour.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Made to mark the 25th anniversary, in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, this powerful three-part series brings those individuals back together, many for the first time since that day.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The trailer was first shown at CinemaCon earlier this month.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
School officials first notified sixth-grade families about the incident in an April 21 message.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
Adjective
-
More advanced detailing came a year after the launch of the Air Max 1000 on the Air Max 95000, as Project Nectar tech allows for the application of additional elements after the initial print run.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Kuchler said the group’s initial meetings would be educational and involve reviewing plans, going over the village’s Comprehensive Plan, and looking at results from communities with similar plans.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Three main risks should worry Congress, the courts and every American about the rapid rise of these markets.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Surges can sometimes indicate an underlying wiring issue or a problem with your main breaker.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dhawan is considered one of India’s foremost filmmakers in the comedy genre.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
One of the nation's foremost civic reenactment organizations and historical societies, the Lexington Minute Men represent the original colonial militia who fought in the first battle of the American Revolution.—
Eric Fisher,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
But the matchup instead provided a great example of how exciting a game can be when two teams featuring stars and athleticism around the diamond put together a great performance.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
During debate over the bill, supporters argued the intent wasn’t to restrict the rights of transgender people, but rather to protect women and girls.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Nussmeier weighed in at a rather light 203 pounds at the NFL Combine and was measured with hands under nine inches.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Huskers are expected to have their inaugural season in spring 2028 with informal competitions next year.—
PJ Green
April 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Corinthian will shortly embark on her inaugural season, with a new collection of itineraries in the eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe scheduled for 2027.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Also in attendance were NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Google.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Beauty as chief financial officer at just 35, Mandy Fields knows a little something about defying limits.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
An epiphany Through the years since Sherman began speaking publicly about moving the team from Kauffman Stadium to a modern home most preferably in the city, Hall was a frequent advisor — or at least an ear.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
And then there is the youth, the cost-efficient prospects who preferably would be able to grow with the next roster rendition, a pair of players with skill sets that complement.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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