at first
phrase
as in originally
in the beginning
He was a bit skittish at first, but he's since gotten more comfortable around people.
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Recent Examples of at first
The river has risen again and again, and in 1993, the Mississippi did not go over the levee, at first, but under it, burrowing a tunnel like a prisoner seeking freedom.
—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor apparently do not believe in love at first sight.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Habib Diarra’s early goal for Senegal and Rebin Sulaka’s 13th-minute dismissal for Iraq did not open the floodgates at first.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
4 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
Ewing reached on a fielding error by Olson at first base and scored on Soto's homer to left field in the third inning.
—
ABC News,
3 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
If Perez needs additional time to recover, Nick Loftin and Josh Rojas can back up Jac Caglianone at first base.
—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
Koss threw backwards and tried to nab Moreno at first, but the throw deflected off Moreno and bounced into the Giants’ first-base dugout.
—
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
2 July 2026
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor apparently do not believe in love at first sight.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Habib Diarra’s early goal for Senegal and Rebin Sulaka’s 13th-minute dismissal for Iraq did not open the floodgates at first.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
4 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
Ewing reached on a fielding error by Olson at first base and scored on Soto's homer to left field in the third inning.
—
ABC News,
3 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
If Perez needs additional time to recover, Nick Loftin and Josh Rojas can back up Jac Caglianone at first base.
—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
Koss threw backwards and tried to nab Moreno at first, but the throw deflected off Moreno and bounced into the Giants’ first-base dugout.
—
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
2 July 2026
Cite this Entry
“At first.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/at%20first. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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