at first

ADVERB

originally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically formerly

STRONG

primitively

WEAK

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

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily

ADVERB

primarily

Synonyms

WEAK

at the start first and foremost from the start in the first place initially originally primitively

Antonyms

WEAK

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

There’s so much info, I found the pages hard to navigate at first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Climber Chris Thrall said that at first, it was impossible to believe Sherpa had survived against the odds.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Officers would remain at the site overnight, police said, with further searches resuming at first light on Tuesday.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

‘He came to live with me. In Amsterdam at first, and then I brought him to England.’

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler