at the (very) least
idiom
—used to indicate the least thing that is true, acceptable, desirable, or certain to happen
He wanted to win the race, or at the least, to finish second.
It will change your life or, at the very least, teach you something new.
At the very least, she deserves to be heard.
Examples of at the (very) least in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fingers, human and otherwise, were crossed that a third Paddington escapade would be a charm, or at the very least, not sink the franchise in syrupy goo.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Though prices for major appliances started to decline in the latter part of 2019, Miller noted, forecasting at the very least a halt in the price drops.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
But having another goalie, for practice at the very least, makes a massive difference.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2025
And while there’s no shame in seeking out professional help, vitamins for stress can seem more appealing (or at the very least more accessible) than pharmaceutical options.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Though prices for major appliances started to decline in the latter part of 2019, Miller noted, forecasting at the very least a halt in the price drops.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025
But having another goalie, for practice at the very least, makes a massive difference.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2025
And while there’s no shame in seeking out professional help, vitamins for stress can seem more appealing (or at the very least more accessible) than pharmaceutical options.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at the (very) least
Dictionary Entries Near at the (very) least
Cite this Entry
“At the (very) least.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20%28very%29%20least. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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