worst-case

[wurst-keys]

adjective

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

   a worst-case scenario.

worst case

noun

1. 1. a situation in which the most unfavourable conditions prevail

   2. ( as modifier )

      a worst-case projection of a massive accident

Word History and Origins

Origin of worst-case¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

In a worst-case scenario where OpenAI fails to monetize “and some of these big AI spending announcements don’t come to fruition, the hyperscalers are actually in a pretty good position,” Liddle said during a webinar earlier this week.

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You are jumping to a worst-case scenario because this lawsuit is delaying your distributions.

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The cost of credit-default swaps on Oracle’s five-year bonds, which track the cost of insuring them against the worst-case scenario, have nearly tripled over the past three months.

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Through it all, one lesson became clear: that even in the worst-case scenarios and the toughest of crashes, catastrophe isn't guaranteed for all.

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“That’s what I think too. Which brings me to the second worst-case scenario,” Ridge said.

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Related Words

• absolute 
• all-out 
• sheer 
• ultimate 
• unconditional