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.

"This will prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition in this growing market by Meta's conduct, which at first sight infringes EU competition rules," the commission said.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

What distinguished Didion is her style, so carefully milled as to be not noticed at first.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

“Stick to the basics at first before branching out.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Third baseman Max Muncy exited in the fifth inning after a collision at first base, and Santiago Espinal replaced him.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

I was blind to it at first, but with Opal, I recalled the powerlessness I felt at not being able to suggest a trade, or even refuse one I thought abominable.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff