: involving, projecting, or providing for the worst possible circumstances or outcome of a given situation
a worst-case scenario

Examples of worst-case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The visuals demonstrate worst-case scenarios and feeling trapped. Marina Watts, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025 But in practice, worst-case proofs of algorithms are hard to achieve. Dorit Dor, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Her worst-case scenario is kind of what happened in the wilderness, where her child is taken from her and used by Lottie as the symbol of whatever their weird religion is. Lauren Coates, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025 So What’s the Endgame? To be sure, the potential pitfalls presented here are all worst-case scenarios. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worst-case

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of worst-case was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Worst-case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst-case. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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