Synonyms

worst-case

American

[wurst-keys] / ˈwɜrstˌkeɪs /

adjective

of the worst possibility; being the worst result that could be expected under the circumstances.

a worst-case scenario.

worst case British

noun

1. a situation in which the most unfavourable conditions prevail
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a worst-case projection of a massive accident

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of worst-case

First recorded in 1960–65

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.

"That would be the worst-case scenario," Ellyn added.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“My worst-case scenario is going back to Harvard, which isn’t a worse-case scenario at all,” said Zhang, who now lives in San Francisco.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Here is a look at best-case and worst-case scenarios.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

For those bets to pay off, the U.S. needs to avoid the worst-case scenario—an oil-driven recession.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

All systems were designed for worst-case scenarios; each did its job admirably.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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