worst nightmare

noun

: the thing someone fears most
Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare.

Examples of worst nightmare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The latest screen translation of his work begins with a parent’s worst nightmare. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Navigating every parent's worst nightmare, even the basics of everyday life were beyond her. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026 King Hiss Beneath his human exterior, King Hiss (later King Hssss) was an ophidiophobe's worst nightmare. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 June 2026 An encounter with a skunk is every pet owner's worst nightmare. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for worst nightmare

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worst nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst%20nightmare. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster