at worst

1. Also, at the worst.

2. In the least favorable circumstance; under the most difficult conditions. For example, Convicted of taking a bribe, the official believed that at worst he would be sentenced to a few months in prison . [1500s]

3. In the least favorable view or supposition, as in No harm done; at the worst I'll copy the tax return again . Chaucer used this sense in Troilus and Cressida: “For at the worst, it may yet short our way.” [Late 1300s] For the antonym, see at best .

Example Sentences

The $500-million mixed-use project planned for the busy intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue “has been, at best, a complete boondoggle, and, at worst, a complete fraud,” Harris said in court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Somehow, the tourists need to buck their trend of starting Ashes tours awfully and get out of the opening two on level terms at worst.

From BBC

But in Australia they've long been treated as a bit of a joke - at worst, an annoyance.

From BBC

At best, they were narrowly competent; at worst, morally compromised and dangerously deluded.

From Salon

It had long been clear that the city’s police force was, at best, not up to the challenge — and, at worst, deeply corrupt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• at least 
• partially 
• slightly 
• somewhat