to begin with

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first adv.
for openers adv.
originally adv.

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.

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to begin with

Did we ever have those skills to begin with?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

"They seem to be playing a bigger role because the ice is generally thinner and more vulnerable to begin with."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026

She added that rents could be playing a part in the decline and it would "have to come from the government to begin with to help more" for shops to return.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Young men often don’t know their fertility status and might have a low sperm count to begin with.

From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026

Being attacked was frightening to begin with, and in this case the timing couldn’t have been worse.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

to begin with

Example Sentences

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