first and foremost
Most importantly, before everything
First and foremost emphasizes that something is the primary or most important consideration: First and foremost, we need to ensure everyone's safety.
The phrase is slightly redundant—both words mean "before all others"—but the doubling adds rhetorical weight.
It typically opens a statement to establish priority before other points follow.
Mostly or primarily
- chieflyAbove all else
- mainlyFor the most part
- primarilyIn the first place
- especiallyTo an exceptional degree
above all · most importantly · notably · predominantly · particularly · essentially · fundamentally · basically
At the outset
- originallyFrom the start
- genesisPoint of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
- outsetInitial point of something
onset · commencement · dawn · origin · starting · opening · inaugural · introductory
Of supreme significance
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- primaryChief in importance
- principalChief school administrator
- chiefTop-ranking leader
supreme · dominant · cardinal · central · pivotal · overriding · priority · precedence
Forming the base
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- indispensableUtterly required, irreplaceable
- coreCentral essential portion
integral · necessary · basic · prerequisite · imperative · foundational · elementary · intrinsic
principally
Mostly or primarily
especially · above all · most importantly · notably · predominantly · particularly · essentially · fundamentally · basically · expressly
initially
At the outset
- originallyFrom the start
- genesisPoint of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
outset · onset · commencement · dawn · origin · starting · opening · inaugural · introductory · preliminary
paramount
Of supreme significance
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- primaryChief in importance
- principalChief school administrator
chief · supreme · dominant · cardinal · central · pivotal · overriding · priority · precedence · top
fundamental
Forming the base
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- indispensableUtterly required, irreplaceable
core · integral · necessary · basic · prerequisite · imperative · foundational · elementary · intrinsic · underlying
- phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
- stock phrasesstock phrase, set phrase, cliche, catchphrase, filler phrase
- Redundanciestautology, pleonasm, redundancy, redundant phrase, added bonus
first and foremostleast of all
Lowest in consideration
secondarily · incidentally · peripherally · tangentially · marginally
first and foremostlast but not least
Phrase signaling final item matters
lastly · finally · in conclusion · at the end · ultimately
first, foremost, fore, first-rate, firstly, forefront, firsthand, first-class, firstborn