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
Or, at the least, living through some very strange and scary times.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024
Gyllenhaal will at the very least return behind-the-scenes, once again serving as an exec producer alongside David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams, Rachel Rusch Rich, Dustin Thomason and Matt Tinker.
—Michael Ausiello, TVLine, 12 July 2024
This is an excellent time to launch creative projects, plan a performance or at the very least, indulge in hobbies that bring you joy.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
While the long-term effects remain to be seen, at the very least, people will get a once-in-a-lifetime wildcard to move to Italy out of it.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the (very) least 
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024
Gyllenhaal will at the very least return behind-the-scenes, once again serving as an exec producer alongside David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams, Rachel Rusch Rich, Dustin Thomason and Matt Tinker.
—Michael Ausiello, TVLine, 12 July 2024
This is an excellent time to launch creative projects, plan a performance or at the very least, indulge in hobbies that bring you joy.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
While the long-term effects remain to be seen, at the very least, people will get a once-in-a-lifetime wildcard to move to Italy out of it.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for at the (very) least
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the (very) least.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 27 Jul. 2024.
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