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
Matthews’ second tied the game again in the final five minutes of regulation, at the very least securing a point for the Leafs.
—
Omar White, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
However, something has happened between you and your ex that indicates a lot of mixed messages, at the very least.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
And America is hardly immune to the draw of the strongman (image at the least) at the ballot box.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Both experts agree: Even little tweaks, like being more selective with your footwear, can make a noticeable difference—or at the very least, keep your symptoms from getting worse.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at the (very) least 
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Omar White, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
However, something has happened between you and your ex that indicates a lot of mixed messages, at the very least.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
And America is hardly immune to the draw of the strongman (image at the least) at the ballot box.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Both experts agree: Even little tweaks, like being more selective with your footwear, can make a noticeable difference—or at the very least, keep your symptoms from getting worse.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 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 23 Jan. 2025.
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