How to Use at first in a Sentence

at first

phrase
  • Wimbledon’s roots were not quite of the people, at least not at first.
    — Nick Pachelli, Time, 11 July 2026
  • Some species have droppings that look like ground pepper or coffee at first glance.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • As July comes to a close, stockpiles seemed at first to be on the rise.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • He was set to start at first and hit sixth for the A’s on Friday.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • What may seem like a gimmick at first actually makes a lot of sense.
    — New Atlas, 2 July 2026
  • Nolan Schanuel hit a soft grounder with two out and runners at first and second in the fifth.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2026
  • As for hosting, Tucci says there was a learning curve at first.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The joke, at first, was how ill-suited for the gig Friedland was on paper.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
  • Things seem normal at first but quickly devolve once nighttime rolls around.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Tyler Tolbert was picked off at first while pinch running for Perez, who was walked.
    — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Bregman threw it to Busch at first to pick up a second out and stymie the Twins’ threat.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • They will both be limited to accounts set to English at first.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • Jorge Polanco reached on a two-out error at first base by Stowers.
    — Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Candied yams might sound outdated to younger attendees, but this dish will be love at first bite.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 July 2026
  • Bird flu symptoms in humans can look like a bad cold at first, so tell your doctor about any contact with sick birds.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Melink said no structures had been damaged by the fire, despite there being that concern at first.
    — Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 6 July 2026
  • Seigler, though, crossed home plate before Sogard was put out at first.
    — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Graf had been ill for decades before the transplant, at first, with unexplained shortness of breath.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • Along with the offense, Schmitt has seen time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and left field.
    — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Goodman has played 43 career games in the outfield and 12 at first base.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • He was discharged at first, but was brought back in shortly after and placed into intensive care.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Zelig’s mom, Kathy, remembers that morning as routine at first.
    — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 30 July 2026
  • That may seem like a distinction without a real difference at first glance.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
  • Some were quiet at first and struggled to put their experiences into words.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • Cautious at first, Willis gradually opened up about the highs and lows of his career.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
  • There are so many staircases and hallways and doors everywhere, which makes the place feel a little like a maze at first.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • If your petunias looked stunning at first, but are starting to lag a bit, a lack of nutrients is probably to blame.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • To a user, or even another agent, these sites may appear legitimate at first glance.
    — Sammy Ahmed, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Zach Neto walked to begin the inning but got picked off at first base attempting to steal second.
    — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • By that point, the medical balances that seemed manageable at first can feel very overwhelming.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at first.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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