scenario
noun
sce·nar·io
sə-ˈner-ē-ˌō 
US also and especially British -ˈnär-
plural scenarios
1
a
: an outline or synopsis of a play
especially
: a plot outline used by actors of the commedia dell'arte
b
: the libretto of an opera
2
a
b
3
: a sequence of events especially when imagined
especially
: an account or synopsis of a possible course of action or events
His scenario for a settlement envisages … reunification … —
Selig Harrison
Selig Harrison Examples of scenario in a Sentence
A possible scenario would be that we move to the city.
The most likely scenario is that he goes back to school in the fall.
The best-case scenario would be for us to finish the work by tomorrow.
In the worst-case scenario, we would have to start the project all over again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, Toth acknowledged the possibility Republicans could lose the House, a scenario that could force him, as a likely incoming member, into the minority but said his approach would remain unchanged.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
Vendors don’t typically overspend on travel expenses because, in most cases, those costs are overestimated to prevent such a scenario, Carpenter said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Julia Bikbova, an American-Ukrainian lawyer specializing in immigration and international law, said that this scenario – in which some members of a family are granted re-parole while others are not – is not unique.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The Macquarie Group warned that oil may hit a record $200 barrel if the war drags on until June — a scenario that officials in Saudi Arabia and the White House are reportedly looking into.
—Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scenario
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Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
Vendors don’t typically overspend on travel expenses because, in most cases, those costs are overestimated to prevent such a scenario, Carpenter said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Julia Bikbova, an American-Ukrainian lawyer specializing in immigration and international law, said that this scenario – in which some members of a family are granted re-parole while others are not – is not unique.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The Macquarie Group warned that oil may hit a record $200 barrel if the war drags on until June — a scenario that officials in Saudi Arabia and the White House are reportedly looking into.
—Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scenario
Cite this Entry
“Scenario.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scenario. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scenario
noun
sce·nar·io
sə-ˈnar-ē-ˌō
-ˈner-,
-ˈnär-
plural scenarios
1
a
: an outline of a play
b
: the text of an opera
2
3
: a sequence of events especially when imagined
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