at first

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.

There’s so much info, I found the pages hard to navigate at first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

It meant that, at first, Kym was not alarmed when she lost contact with her husband.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Mejia, who is running for reelection as city controller, said he showed up at a polling place and was at first told he had to register to vote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Inflation began rising sharply during the pandemic in 2021, which most policymakers and forecasters thought at first would be transitory.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

He tugged at it; gently at first, and then much harder.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell