Definitions

at best

ADVERB

partly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

at least partially slightly somewhat

WEAK

at most at worst bit by bit by degrees carelessly halfway in a general way in bits and pieces in part in some measure in some ways inadequately incompletely insufficiently little by little measurably not entirely not fully not strictly speaking not wholly notably noticeably piece by piece piecemeal relatively so far as possible to a certain degree to a certain extent up to a certain point within limits

Antonyms

WEAK

completely totally wholly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The screaming children were an irritation at best, a nuisance at worst.

From Literature

The idea of artificial intelligence, let alone a personal computer, was a fantasy at best.

From Salon

Sunday's 3-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers Tottenham arrived as a major boost – but there is no escaping the fact the club's season has been underwhelming at best.

From BBC

“A drop in oil could start to lead to a drop in gasoline prices around midweek at best,” he said.

From MarketWatch

Several of the chapters, about particle accelerators and fusion reactors, take readers on cursory tours of facilities that have at best a tangential connection to space.

From The Wall Street Journal

at best

Example Sentences

Related Words