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best-case

American

[best-keys] / ˈbɛstˌkeɪs /

adjective

being the best result that could be expected under the circumstances.

The best-case scenario shows her winning the nomination easily.

Etymology

Origin of best-case

First recorded in 1975–80

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 best-case scenario is, in a way, just as disturbing.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Any best-case scenario for USC this month presumably would involve a true star turn for Davidson, who already has proven to be a bona fide playmaker as a freshman.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Meanwhile, the dilapidated Venezuelan oil sector will need tens of billions of dollars of investment from those same companies, and would take years to revive in the best-case scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Even in the best-case scenario it would take three years for Venezuela to add 500,000 barrels a day to its oil production.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

But the engineering was best-case scenario, and their meager resources were worst-case.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

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