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Showing results for at first. Search instead for dachfirst.
Definitions

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.

"It's just literally impossible to predict, except that I think it will be quite slow at first," he said of output.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

If you stop working before you claim Social Security, you might have no money at all coming in at first.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

The ex-Hill editor thought the acquisition seemed fitting at first, since the newspaper also aimed for objective, center-leaning D.C. journalism.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

The highest he has batted is number three - the century against Notts two weeks ago came at first drop.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

He wasn't often worried about that though, not the way he had been at first.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry