at best

Idioms

Under the most favorable circumstances, as in At best we'll be just one week behind schedule, or Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see at worst.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The disturbing thing is that it’s a question whose answer, to any well-read observer, is uncertain at best.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

That change would likely be cosmetic at best.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

The record of the very largest IPOs is spotty at best.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Cloudier skies are likely to keep temperatures at around the low 20s at best.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Both my hammock and my attempt to connect with them are mediocre at best.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023