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.

It can hurt and feel empty at first.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

A. The Iran war jolted markets at first and drove the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite into a correction, off at least 10% from its high.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Thompson, of Syracuse University, said the Taylor Sheridan brand and the characters he created should be enough to draw “Yellowstone” fans to “Dutton Ranch” at first, regardless of how much of a role Sheridan plays.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

That might not seem strange at first glance.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

But for the last five years, they had been disappearing; slowly at first, and then fast, in a great and terrible rush.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell