to begin with

ADVERB

first

Synonyms

STRONGEST

initially originally

WEAK

ahead at the outset before all else beforehand in the first place to start with

Antonyms

WEAK

finally last

ADVERB

for openers

Synonyms

WEAK

first off for starters

ADVERB

originally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically formerly

STRONG

primitively

WEAK

at first at the outset at the start by birth by origin first in the beginning in the first place incipiently primarily

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily

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.

What she’s targeting is the lawless underlying subpoena, saying it was unenforceable to begin with.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

“Animal Farm” is the ideal Angel Studios production, with enough big-name stars to attract an audience willing to overlook the distributor and its history, or who don’t even know about either aspect to begin with.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Apple announced on Monday night that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO—and the company needs a new era of innovation to begin with his departure.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

I was irritated to begin with because they stopped the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Patience explained how they’d gone around and asked everyone what they could share, and how people had given what they could, even when they didn’t have much to begin with.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

to begin with

Example Sentences

Related Words