worst-case

adjective

ˈwərst-ˈkās 

: 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

Still, Bank of America outlined several reasons investors should be careful about extrapolating a worst-case scenario from the California trial. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Good thing the 49ers have Jake Tonges until George Kittle is ready — which, in a worst-case scenario, looks like Week 2. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

As students returned to campuses earlier this week to begin a new school year, the district’s worst-case scenario has not come to pass, although its apparent financial reprieve remains fragile. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Unanswered emails can make people feel ignored or disrespected, or jump to worrying or envisioning worst-case scenarios, such as being on the brink of getting laid off or fired. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for worst-case

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase