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.

Brussels said the fee offered earlier this year "at first sight" was "in practice equivalent to the previous access ban".

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

“Where it got a little tough for us is they asked for Jared Verse in return,” Snead said, “and similar to what Cleveland did at first, we were a ‘no.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Subsidized goods for a low price may be a nice change at first, just have the common courtesy to not let the door hit your favorite bodega owner on the way out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Mrs. Tracy seemed confused at first, but then said, “Will the people in row two please move back one seat each.”

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott