worst case

[wurst-keys] / ˈwɜrstˌkeɪs /

ADJECTIVE

utmost

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolute all-out sheer ultimate unconditional

STRONG

chief entire final full last outside top total uttermost whole

WEAK

complete exhaustive farthest furthermost greatest highest last straw maximal most distant out of bounds outermost paramount plenary preeminent remotest supreme the most thorough thoroughgoing too much too-too topmost ultra undiminished unlimited unmitigated unqualified unreserved

Antonyms

STRONGEST

limited

STRONG

beginning first introductory middle starting unimportant

WEAK

moderate

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.

For the Pentagon, this was a worst-case scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The worst-case military scenarios thankfully have been far off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

That, at a minimum, would “avoid the worst-case scenario of widespread damage to energy infrastructure.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

For those bets to pay off, the U.S. needs to avoid the worst-case scenario—an oil-driven recession.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

“That’s what I think too. Which brings me to the second worst-case scenario,” Ridge said.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly