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
The Summary The Los Angeles-area fires are a worst-case scenario caused by powerful winds that struck after months without rain.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
These chatbots, accessible to users of all ages, allowed for graphic role-playing scenarios, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the ethical responsibilities of AI platforms in moderating harmful content.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
In the draft, the Jets’ best hope at landing a quarterback in the first round would either be in a trade-up scenario, or hoping that Penn State’s Drew Allar declares for the NFL Draft, providing another viable option in the Top 10 along with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said concerns are growing that the U.K. may encounter stagflation — a scenario where inflation stays high or rises while economic growth slows.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scenario 
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Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
These chatbots, accessible to users of all ages, allowed for graphic role-playing scenarios, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the ethical responsibilities of AI platforms in moderating harmful content.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
In the draft, the Jets’ best hope at landing a quarterback in the first round would either be in a trade-up scenario, or hoping that Penn State’s Drew Allar declares for the NFL Draft, providing another viable option in the Top 10 along with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said concerns are growing that the U.K. may encounter stagflation — a scenario where inflation stays high or rises while economic growth slows.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scenario
Dictionary Entries Near scenario
Cite this Entry
“Scenario.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scenario. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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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