to begin with

Adverb

Meaning

before now

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

originally in the first place at first in the beginning firstly first primarily initially foremost beforehand earlier above all first of all first off first and foremost
Show all synonyms

Antonyms

lastly after last behind in the end finally
Show all antonyms

Examples

Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with that it's compounding a felony. Robert Benchley

If you want to accomplish the goals of your life, you have to begin with the spirit. Oprah Winfrey

To begin with myself, then, the utterances of men concerning me will differ widely, since in passing judgment almost every one is influenced not so much by truth as by preference, and good and evil report alike know no bounds. Petrarch

'Tis safest in matrimony to begin with a little aversion. Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Humanity, you never had it to begin with. Charles Bukowski

A good meal ought to begin with hunger. French Proverb

Close letter words and terms

to beg to begin on a high note with to begin to squeal to bemoan to bequeath to beseech