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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.

“It shows them, first and foremost, that you are interested and you are prepared.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Barrett responded: OK, but many slaves were brought here illegally, and everyone acknowledges that the point of the 14th Amendment first and foremost was to grant citizenship to them and their children.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

But first and foremost, Bad Omens are gifted musicians, and whatever eldritch magic Sebastian wields onstage will always be bolstered by a serious band contorting metal, dark pop and electronic music.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

“But they are first and foremost vote-seeking” and their messages must “resonate with local audiences,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

After all, King himself was speaking, first and foremost, as a preacher, fulfilling an emerging mission of religion: preaching the social gospel of justice and equality.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson