first off

adverb

Definition of first offnext
as in first

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first off
  1. first
  2. now
  3. early
  4. before long
Adverb
  • Its public operating logic has long been customer and employee value first, with shareholder returns as the result.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Habitable Worlds Observatory would be the first designed to photograph Earth-like planets — and even search for chemical signs of life within the atmospheres of those planets.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of first
Adverb
  • Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The company now faces a larger test as deployments expand beyond a single vessel.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • That projection is 79% higher than the bank’s estimate from a year earlier.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of early
Adverb
  • But before long, it will be measured by whether AI helps the organization make smarter decisions and consistently produce better outcomes.
    — Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • However, Bell could be back before long, whether on the practice squad or the active roster, after playing 14 games for Seattle last season.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of before long
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.

Browse Nearby Words

first names
first off
first-rate
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Cite this Entry

“First off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20off. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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