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Definitions

at worst

ADVERB
partly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
at least partially slightly somewhat
WEAK
at best at most 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.

This creates short-term duplication and confusion at best — and mid- to long-term losses, at worst.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The current “Comeback” storyline is the brighter side of the “AI Doc” coin in that Al’s glitches are surreal and hilarious at worst.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

It’s a contradiction at best, and hypocrisy at worst.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

“You only have so many tries” suggests his attempts to help could backfire; that language is inflammatory and shaming at worst and unhelpful at best.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

There are always untenable events, freak happenings like someone recognizing you, or at worst, the trouble results from a foolish and negligent spy, like my time with Luzan.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee