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
Roseman’s twin trade-backs at the very least suggest the Eagles war room didn’t hold strong convictions for the prospects remaining within their range.
—
Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Whatever the task in front of him, at the very least, Redick would fight for it.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
But universal disclosure advocates like Scata say, at the very least, red flags should be waved for the buying public on properties that have flooded over and over in less-than-extreme weather.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
And if the story isn’t enough to draw you in for a watch, at the very least do it to see Whishaw’s incredibly layered, impactful performance.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the (very) least
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Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Whatever the task in front of him, at the very least, Redick would fight for it.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
But universal disclosure advocates like Scata say, at the very least, red flags should be waved for the buying public on properties that have flooded over and over in less-than-extreme weather.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
And if the story isn’t enough to draw you in for a watch, at the very least do it to see Whishaw’s incredibly layered, impactful performance.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 29 Apr. 2025.
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