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.

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

“Stick to the basics at first before branching out.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

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

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Inflation began rising sharply during the pandemic in 2021, which most policymakers and forecasters thought at first would be transitory.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

I can’t let him think that Zara’s more important to me than he is, and while she might be annoyed at first, she’ll understand that this is necessary.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam