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.

By comparison with some of the nefarious plotters in that show, Titus is a bit of an also-ran—at least at first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"The fracture caused a very loud snapping noise that actually startled me. I thought at first the machine had broken, but soon realized that the noise came from the stretching fluid."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

The iPod music player, at first available in metallic grey, quickly diversified into a whole spectrum of bright colours.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Cody was most familiar with Pedretti’s performance in “You,” pegging the actor as an “intense brunet” that didn’t square at first with her interpretation of Cherry as an Anna Nicole Smith type.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Did I believe, at first, that Mae could have been a spy?

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse