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.
Because the two conditions can look nearly identical at first, many patients undergo invasive cardiac catheterization before doctors can determine what is causing their symptoms.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026
The denim he used at first had too much stretch and didn’t hold its shape.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
Gammer said he at first thought it was an AI-generated clip.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
At that time, he also worked the night shift at a grocery store for two-and-a-half years, earning $12.50 an hour at first and then working his way up to $20.50 an hour.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
As he was doing so, Duane realized that he wasn’t as impressed with them as he was at first.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
