at first glance

ADJECTIVE

extemporaneous/extemporary

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hoc ad lib automatic by ear casual expedient extempore free immediate impromptu improv improvisatory improviso informal jamming made-up makeshift off the cuff off the top of head offhand on impulse on-the-spot snap spontaneous spur-of-the-moment taking for ride thought out loud tossed off tossed out unplanned unpremeditated unprepared unstudied winging it

Antonyms

WEAK

planned prepared read rehearsed written

ADVERB

superficially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

outwardly

WEAK

apparently carelessly casually externally extraneously flimsily frivolously hastily ignorantly not profoundly not thoroughly on the surface once over lightly ostensibly partially skim to the casual eye

Antonyms

WEAK

carefully deeply thoroughly

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.

Ilunga’s garment — a streetwear-inspired jacket and shorts set — looks minimal at first glance, but up close, it’s engineered for movement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

The latest exuberance in equities did not reflect as broad and generous a market bounce as it might appear at first glance.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

That might not seem strange at first glance.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

And at first glance, the return of one on loan from a library in the West Midlands would not seem something to cause a lot of fuss.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Certainly the mechanics here are sound, and at first glance, so is the coherence.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

at first glance

Example Sentences

Related Words