in the worst way

Idioms  

1. Desperately, very much, as in He wanted a new trumpet in the worst way. This usage replaced worst kind. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the worst way

She also recalled how she had found one of her children, aged 10, "curled up at the top of stairs, alone and frightened", having "found out in the worst way possible" through overheard conversations.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

The skepticism over hedging will inevitably be challenged in the worst way, though when that occurs is impossible to know.

From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025

“We wanted to play it in the worst way for a lot of reasons,” FAU coach Dusty May said before the 96-95 win over Arizona on Saturday.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023

I had planned to give myself 2020 off, because I had become a workaholic in the worst way.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 17, 2023

I wanted, in the worst way, to consult with Bimbi about it.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey