: 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 In a worst-case scenario, economists fear these policies could set the stage for a recession. Krystal Hur, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024 The movie imagines a worst-case scenario in which American society unravels beyond comprehension, and centers the frontline journalists trying to make sense of the ensuing chaos. David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2024 That’s a good thing in the short term, but avoiding worst-case scenarios via hefty deficit spending comes at a cost for future generations, in Spitznagel’s view. Will Daniel, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024 In a worst-case scenario, striking down EMTALA protections could provide a pathway to allow states to weasel out of emergency care in other MAGA-unpopular instances, such as intervention for a gender-affirming care emergency or life-saving HIV treatment. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024 Supply chain managers are currently handling problems in much more important choke points, including the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, and in a worst-case scenario, East Coast U.S. port strikes. Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 In response, the federal government declared its authority—in a worst-case shortage crisis—to make sweeping water cuts to cities across the Southwest. Daniel Rothberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024 Treinen, on the other hand, remains uncertain for participating in Korea but appears to have avoided any worst-case scenario. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 In this worst-case scenario, Russian heavy bombers could be used to destroy Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worst-case.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of worst-case was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near worst-case

Cite this Entry

“Worst-case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst-case. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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