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.

Considered an unremarkable man, lacking the charisma and the religious bona fides of his predecessor — and with the country emerging from a bruising eight-year war with Iraq — Khamenei did not come with an ambitious plan for change at first.

From Los Angeles Times

"For example, if at first proteins A and B are separate, adding caffeine brings them together; conversely, if proteins A and B start out together, adding a drug like rapamycin can cause them to dissociate."

From Science Daily

"At first we heard a dull noise and thought it was a fighter jet."

From Barron's

“After Christmas we put it together and the kids made a run, but we changed our system. I told them we’re gonna do something unconventional and I put in the old Loyola Marymount offense. The kids resisted at first but eventually they bought in.”

From Los Angeles Times

There seemed to be something to it—at first.

From The Wall Street Journal