worst-case
adjective
: involving, projecting, or providing for the worst possible circumstances or outcome of a given situation
a worst-case scenario
Examples of worst-case in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Turning off water before leaving home prevents these worst-case scenarios.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
Instead of having an eight-point lead and being guaranteed of at least overtime in a worst-case scenario, Vero Beach punted with 12 seconds left and the game still on the line.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Students are being asked to practice preventing their own deaths in active shooter drills and learn in environments designed around worst-case scenarios.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025
More than ever, people should also make sure their health protocols and diets are not clouded by politics or ideology as doing so can help prevent worst-case-scenario outcomes like this one.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worst-case
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
Instead of having an eight-point lead and being guaranteed of at least overtime in a worst-case scenario, Vero Beach punted with 12 seconds left and the game still on the line.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Students are being asked to practice preventing their own deaths in active shooter drills and learn in environments designed around worst-case scenarios.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025
More than ever, people should also make sure their health protocols and diets are not clouded by politics or ideology as doing so can help prevent worst-case-scenario outcomes like this one.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worst-case
Cite this Entry
“Worst-case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst-case. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share