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
When a president wants to do a decent job — at the least, respecting democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law — the magnet produces an administration of people who respect our institutions of self-government.
—
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
And with Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, Luka Garza and Williams (two points, three rebounds, two assists on Sunday) as the only options on Boston’s current depth chart, Bassey is making a strong case for a training camp invite, at the very least.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
But for the time being, Chris Russ, Tate DeMasco and a fleet of local coaches and volunteers are making sure people in their communities can, at the very least, have a hot plate of food and a cold drink.
—Juana Summers, NPR, 9 July 2025
That's not to say that there aren't sticklers for the old way of doing things: leaving your phone at home or in the car, tucking it in your purse or pocket, turning it off, and at the very least, putting it on silent or vibrate mode.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the (very) least
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
And with Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, Luka Garza and Williams (two points, three rebounds, two assists on Sunday) as the only options on Boston’s current depth chart, Bassey is making a strong case for a training camp invite, at the very least.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
But for the time being, Chris Russ, Tate DeMasco and a fleet of local coaches and volunteers are making sure people in their communities can, at the very least, have a hot plate of food and a cold drink.
—Juana Summers, NPR, 9 July 2025
That's not to say that there aren't sticklers for the old way of doing things: leaving your phone at home or in the car, tucking it in your purse or pocket, turning it off, and at the very least, putting it on silent or vibrate mode.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 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 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share