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first 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərst How to pronounce first (audio)
Definition of firstnext
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

first

2 of 2

adverb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of first
Adjective
The first draft of the script was written before his Wyoming period, but there are tons of other celebrities that have invited the media out. — Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 Adults-only brand Casa Cook will also launch its first Italian hotel this summer (expect laidback luxury) in the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort, while glamorous new offering the First Cortina by The Pavilions should be ready by the end of the year in Cortina. — Graeme Green, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 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
  1. initial
  2. main
  3. foremost
  4. instead
  5. rather
  6. inaugural
  7. chief
  8. preferably
Adjective
  • Seeing its initial advantage on the boards evaporate, UConn went into the break trailing, 37-33.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
  • His initial lawsuit was filed before the presidential election, and was a violation of Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act, while adding Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) as a plaintiff.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • In addition to a cozy and updated three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot main home, there’s a small 19th-century cabin with a rock chimney still standing on the property.
    — David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
  • My one and only visit was decades ago, in middle school, when my main priority was riding the roller coaster.
    — Mariah Tyler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • Saltzman said China and Russia, which military leaders consider America's foremost strategic competitors, are moving ahead of the United States with technologies and techniques to attack satellites in orbit.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
  • My foremost camera concern is image quality, and that’s where Apple really cannot hang with cheaper Android alternatives.
    — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of foremost
Adverb
  • It is instead being played in Dubai which has always stepped in when cricket is tangled in politics.
    — Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • After Gabriel breaks her heart, Beth defers her dreams and marries a doting farmer instead.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • But the win seemed rather improbable just 48 hours ago.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The reverse charge mechanism is not legally dependent on a valid VAT-ID but rather on whether the customer qualifies as a business.
    — Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • Reses was named to the inaugural CNBC Changemakers list in 2024.
    — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
  • With the inaugural parade in 2004, the short-length festivity has grown to include a Celebrity Grand Marshall, parade kings and queens, an official measuring of the parade route, and a kissing of the Blarney Stone contest.
    — Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of inaugural
Adjective
  • Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, had led the queries into the couple’s deaths from her lab in Albuquerque.
    — Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said that revenge killings stopped early Saturday.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of chief
Adverb
  • Use strong multifactor authentication, preferably passkeys or FIDO U2F keys, and audit user permissions regularly.
    — Julio Fort, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Russia will be particularly interested in minimizing security guarantees for Ukraine, and so such guarantees would preferably be agreed on by Ukraine and its allies prior to negotiations with Russia.
    — Tetiana Kyselova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of preferably

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Cite this Entry

“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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