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.

It can hurt and feel empty at first.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 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

As Othello, Mr. Quinn is at first surprisingly soft-spoken, not putting too much polish on the character’s transfixing eloquence—“the Othello music,” as critics have called it—in his recitation of how he won Desdemona’s love.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

That might not seem strange at first glance.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

But in an hour a warm wind from the land began to blow, at first in stiff gusts.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell