first-stringers
Main squad members
First-stringers are the top players on a team—those who start games rather than sit on the bench.
The term comes from sports, where the "first string" is the primary lineup.
By extension, first-stringers are the best or most important people in any group: The company sent their first-stringers to close the deal.
Things that initiate
- lineupOrdered list of participants
- rosterList of members
- squadSmall working group
- varsityPrimary school squad
lettermen · regulars · players · teammates · captains · benchwarmers · reserves · substitutes
Of highest quality
- premierFirst in importance
- eliteSuperior select group
- selectCarefully pick from options
- creamRich milk fat
distinguished · superior · renowned · prestigious · eminent · illustrious · exclusive · foremost
starters
Things that initiate
varsity · lettermen · regulars · players · teammates · captains · benchwarmers · reserves · substitutes · recruits
top-tier
Of highest quality
cream · distinguished · superior · renowned · prestigious · eminent · illustrious · exclusive · foremost · exemplary
linchpin
Vital securing element
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- pillarUpright architectural support
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
catalyst · mainstay · leaders · go-to · clutch · franchise · ace · stars · headliners · frontrunners
first-stringersbenchwarmers
Inactive roster players
second-stringers · substitutes · reserves · backups · scrubs
first-stringerssecond-raters
Those below top tier
also-rans · B-listers · minor leaguers · amateurs · novices
first, string, stringer, stringers, firsts, strings, strung, stringed, stringing