to start with

phrase

1

: at the beginning : initially

It's easier now, but it was very difficult to start with.

2

: in any event

I have to go. To start with, it's late. And it's snowing.

Examples of to start with in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of those absences were unavoidable – Shohei Ohtani (knee) and Aaron Judge (ribs), to start with. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 July 2026

Early on, Coffee and Blake had to decide whether to start with businesses or users — the chicken and the egg. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Delta didn’t specify exactly how many models are in the range, but has unveiled a 164-footer to start with. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

Some dogs with severe dog anxiety may need to start with low-pressure options like scatter feeding before moving to more stimulating activities like a structured sniffari or formal scent work. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026