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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 teams played three times in the regular season with Milwaukee winning twice, but all three games occurred during the first week of the season. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026 Strategists in both parties said that this redistricting scramble has changed how donors are being approached for state legislative races — rarely the first places where the largest political funders send their cash. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Adverb
In March of 2025, Pollack first shared that his wife, Lindsey, had been diagnosed with brain cancer. — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 The club has consistently overachieved in recent seasons despite modest resources, first under coach Christian Streich, now under his former captain Julian Schuster, who took over from the veteran in 2024. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 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. primary
  8. chief
Adjective
  • When no one responds to the initial greeting, the caller tries again.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In the case of 3/1, 5/1 and 7/1 ARMs — three very common types — the initial term is three, five and seven years, respectively.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • One man who always has a lot to say is Josh Pate, the college football commentator who started from humble beginnings and is now one of the foremost voices in the sport.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If aesthetics is the foremost priority, Lulu and Georgia offers office furniture that would look more at home in an interior design studio than a corporate high-rise.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of foremost
Adverb
  • The coaches, administrators, staff and athletes will have no affiliation with our colleges and universities but instead will be employed by their respective professional leagues.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • After a rather lengthy political battle, Bethan Vaughan triumphs over an antisemitic and xenophobic candidate to become only the second PM during the run of The Diplomat.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • El Niño is not a storm that hits at a particular location, but rather a long duration phenomenon that tilts the odds in favor of extreme weather and climate events for certain areas.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • Last year, for the inaugural report (which had a shorter time frame of October 2024 to August 2025), 38,134 acres of wine grapes were torn out.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The inaugural 12-team playoff included eight teams with at least two losses.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Adjective
  • The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.
    — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • An area attorney and former chief public defender who was arrested earlier this year on multiple felony drug charges after a raid on his residence was arrested again early Monday on drug and gun charges following a traffic stop.
    — Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The festival’s advisory group includes director Dan Löwenstein, founder of House of Create, vertical drama critic and consultant Jen Cooper of Vertical Drama Love, and Christine Hartland, co-founder and chief operating officer of My Smash Media.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chief

Phrases Containing first

Browse Nearby Words

firm (up)
first
first base
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Cite this Entry

“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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