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Definitions

first and foremost

ADVERB

mainly

Synonyms

STRONG

chiefly primarily principally

WEAK

above all essentially generally in general in the main largely most of all mostly on the whole overall predominantly substantially to the greatest extent usually

Antonyms

STRONG

secondarily

ADVERB

primarily

Synonyms

WEAK

at first at the start from the start in the first place initially originally primitively

Antonyms

WEAK

finally secondarily

ADVERB

principally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically chiefly generally importantly largely mostly notably particularly predominantly

STRONG

primarily

WEAK

above all before anything else cardinally dominantly eminently especially essentially first of all for the most part fundamentally in the first place in the main materially peculiarly preeminently prevailingly prevalently substantially superlatively supremely to a great degree universally vitally

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily trivially

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Heteropessimism exists alongside heterosexuality not because being straight is terrible or embarrassing or out of fashion, but because it is, first and foremost, an institution — one that in many places remains dangerous to spurn.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

There is a bizarre universe built around the prestige and untouchability of the court that is first and foremost perpetuated by the people on the court.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

Even as a multi-hyphenate, I always say I’m first and foremost a battle rapper.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

This perpetual instability likely led many Israelis, perhaps first and foremost Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to believe that the regime was more brittle than it actually was.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Her parents had sent Hatsue to Mrs. Shigemura with the intent that the girl would not forget that she was first and foremost Japanese.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

first and foremost

Example Sentences

Related Words