as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin, a redshirt sophomore, took first-string snaps in practice, every repetition coveted by a player who has thrown all of five passes in college.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Darnold can surely draw on his scout-team duties against the 49ers’ first-string defense last season and vice versa.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin, a redshirt sophomore, took first-string snaps in practice, every repetition coveted by a player who has thrown all of five passes in college.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Darnold can surely draw on his scout-team duties against the 49ers’ first-string defense last season and vice versa.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
During informational interviews, asking for ideas of great places to keep an eye on is an excellent way to add to your list.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Give your wooden nickel to the mixologist, take your pick between La Babia, an excellent margarita, or Three Emmas, grab a book off the shelf, and take a seat.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Even with challenging oppositions, Siakam has been terrific throughout the playoffs.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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The actor stars opposite a terrific female cast in a story that plays out like a 1950s Hollywood weepie, piling on the tears but not always doing it convincingly.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Hailey Washington, a senior majoring in marketing at Drexel University in Philadelphia, isn't bullish about her job prospects despite stellar undergraduate performance and indispensable industry experience from an internship at a luxury fashion brand.—
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
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Second, and maybe just as important, the Vikings have produced three years of stellar quarterback infrastructure.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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Cheung and Francis are superb, as is Moses Villarama as Bo’s buddy, Virgil, who sees his own sorrow bearing down on him, inevitable and enveloping, like the blizzard outside.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The future of Hollywood depends on whether the industry recognizes that its greatest asset isn’t its distribution technology but its storytellers.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
-
The scene, staged at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by one of America’s great 19th century philanthropists, paid tribute to a long tradition of American giving, while pointing to new ways of thinking that are shaping the 21st century.—
Sam Jacobs,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.—
John Oseid,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Keeping him healthy remains a priority, but as multiple players begin to show the benefits of consistent playing time, Herrera stands out as a prime example.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
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No longer were the Wolves surrendering prime real estate to the Thunder in their own end.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Why the lovely Mehri falls for such a loser — Hamid is one of the least charming grooms in recent memory — can only by explained by the lack of options available to her.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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The scoring sequence followed a lovely Bobrovsky save on a shorthanded odd-man rush — the Cats firing on all cylinders.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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