at best

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at best

The available data says the organizational response is at best a huge exaggeration of the rank and file’s view.

From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2026

“Calling the situation inevitable is at best a bluff,” said Khoja.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Moustapha said he was concerned by what he described as the UK government's "lacklustre at best" involvement, and in particular that no wellness check had yet taken place.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Using AI tools to decide on a Medicare Advantage plan may be complicated at best and inaccurate at worst, analysts said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

Either one would provide only the most tenuous sympathetic link to my lute string: one percent at best, perhaps only a tenth of that.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat