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
That may backfire on California Republicans, who were potentially looking at the previously unimaginable scenario of an all-GOP general election in the country’s biggest blue state.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
If rates remain relatively stable while inflation rises, real yields could tighten — a scenario that has historically supported gold demand.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
With those loose guidelines in mind, IndieWire took the liberty of dreaming up a few ideas for scenarios the show could drop people into.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
By the late 2010s, the lifespans of patients with cystic fibrosis had grown to about 40, O’Neal learned, which was the best-case scenario his parents were given when he was born.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scenario
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Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
If rates remain relatively stable while inflation rises, real yields could tighten — a scenario that has historically supported gold demand.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
With those loose guidelines in mind, IndieWire took the liberty of dreaming up a few ideas for scenarios the show could drop people into.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
By the late 2010s, the lifespans of patients with cystic fibrosis had grown to about 40, O’Neal learned, which was the best-case scenario his parents were given when he was born.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 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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