worst

1 of 4

adjective

superlative of bad

or of ill

1
: most corrupt, bad, evil, or ill
his worst fault
2
a
: most unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful
the worst news
your worst enemy
b
: most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived
has the worst table manners
c
: least skillful or efficient
the worst person for the job
3
: most wanting in quality, value, or condition
the worst results

worst

2 of 4

adverb

superlative of ill

or illy

or of bad

or badly

1
: to the extreme degree of badness or inferiority
the worst dressed person
2
: to the greatest or highest degree
groups who need the subsidies worst lose outT. W. Arnold

worst

3 of 4

noun

plural worst
: one that is worst

worst

4 of 4

verb

worsted; worsting; worsts

transitive verb

: to get the better of : defeat
Phrases
the worst way
: very much
such men … need indoctrination the worst wayJ. G. Cozzens
often used with in
wanted a new bicycle in the worst way
at worst
: under the worst circumstances

Examples of worst in a Sentence

Adjective This is the worst car I've ever bought. In my opinion, it's her worst book. It was the worst movie I've ever seen. His worst quality is his impatience. This has got to be the worst day of my life. The worst part of working there is the long commute. My worst fears came true. He lives in the worst area of the city. He is the worst singer I've ever heard. They're the worst team ever. Adverb My sister was hurt worst. the areas worst hit by the drought She was voted the worst-dressed celebrity of 2005. Noun What's the worst that can happen? When it comes to dancing, he is the worst. That movie was the worst! He is the worst of the bunch. He is one of the worst in the class. Even in the worst of times, she was hopeful. It's still raining, but the worst of the storm is over now. The worst of it is, I don't even know how to contact her. The company was operating on high costs and low prices—the worst of both worlds. Verb how humiliating for a tennis champ to be worsted by a player no one had ever heard of
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But all of that would’ve been forgiven if Golden State’s offense didn’t cool down at the worst possible time. C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2023 Continue below to see the top 10 best and worst cities for football fans in 2023. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2023
Adverb
That’s not the case here: the Fed is cutting rates going into, at worst, a soft landing, which is very unusual. Bob Pisani, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 Milton’s risks Storm surges are the most dangerous aspect of this storm, with the worst occurring just south of the storm’s center and amounting to 10 to 15 feet. Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
Stewart, a former No. 1 overall pick, struggled during the postseason run, averaging career playoff worsts in points per game and field-goal percentage. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024 Over 43 games, Slater is posting career worsts in batting average (.200), slugging percentage (.244) and OPS (.575). Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 7 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for worst 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worst.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English werste, worste, from Old English wierresta, wyrsta, superlative of the root of Old English wiersa worse

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1636, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of worst was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Worst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

worst

1 of 4 adjective

superlative of bad

or of ill

1
: most bad, evil, or ill
his worst habit
2
a
: most unfavorable, unpleasant, or painful
the worst problem imaginable
b
: most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived
has the worst manners
c
: least skillful or efficient
the worst plumber you can hire
3
: most wanting in quality, value, or condition
farmed the worst land

worst

2 of 4 adverb

superlative of bad

or badly

or of ill

1
: to the greatest degree of badness
sings worst
2
: to the greatest degree
needed help worst

worst

3 of 4 noun
1
: one that is worst
always chooses the worst
2
: the greatest degree of ill or badness
if worse comes to worst

worst

4 of 4 verb
: to get the better of : defeat
worsted his opponents

Medical Definition

worst

superlative of ill

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