: 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
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Even in what many consider a worst-case scenario—if Mojtaba Khamenei, the leader’s son known for his ties to the security establishment, succeeds his father—he, too, will be forced to adopt the developmentalist line, Haghighatjooo says. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025 But the immediate question here was a local one, with Los Angeles shuttering a key reservoir when there was still a fire risk and clearly failing to engage in worst-case planning for water needs during a cataclysmic outbreak. The Editors, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025 In worst-case scenarios, occupants are transported via hardened elevators to underground bunkers. Jim Dobson, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Crews are preparing for a worst-case scenario in which high winds prevent the use of firefighting aircraft from strategically dropping retardant around the fires’ perimeters. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for worst-case 

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 20 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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