: 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
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.
Failure is not an option White House officials dismiss that worst-case scenario. Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025 And sea level rise fueled by climate change could make worst-case scenarios even more dire than previously predicted, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Ryleigh Nucilli, Outside Online, 2 June 2025 Another priority for companies could be to be preparing and updating worst-case or next-case scenarios in anticipation of a decision by the appeals court, and to be ready for the impact of that decision. Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Once an aerial stunt’s been conceived of, in addition to planning how to execute it successfully, the team also needs to generate a worst-case scenario outcome. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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