worst

/wərst/

/wəst/

Other forms: worsting; worsts

The adjective worst describes the thing that is the least good, like this awful pizza, the worst we've ever had in our lives.

Worst means "the least favorable outcome." You may have heard the saying "hope for the best but expect the worst." Well, it you get the worst, you know there is nothing more bad than that. If you are at your worst, you have never before felt or performed this poorly. Don't confuse worst with worse, which compares only two things. Your cold might be worse than your brother's but dad's is the worst of all.

Definitions of worst

1. noun

   the least favorable outcome
   “the worst that could happen”

   type of:

   final result, outcome, result, resultant, termination

   something that results
2. noun

   the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of
   “it was the worst he had ever done on a test”

   antonyms:

   best

   the supreme effort one can make

   type of:

   attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try

   earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
3. noun

   the greatest damage or wickedness of which one is capable
   “the invaders did their worst”

   “so pure of heart that his worst is another man's best”

   type of:

   evil, evilness

   the quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice
4. adjective

   (superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition
   “the worst player on the team”

   “the worst weather of the year”

   synonyms:

   bottom

   the lowest rank

   last, last-place, lowest

   lowest in rank or importance

   pessimal, pessimum

   of an organism's environment; least favorable for survival

   bad

   having undesirable or negative qualities

   inferior

   of low or inferior quality

   antonyms:

   best

   (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities

   champion, prizewinning

   holding first place in a contest

   high-grade, top-grade, top-quality

   surpassing in quality

   first, foremost, world-class

   ranking above all others

   Sunday-go-to-meeting, go-to-meeting

   used of clothing

   optimal, optimum

   most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied

   primo

   the best of its kind

   record-breaking

   surpassing any previously established record

   second-best

   next to the best

   superfine

   (used especially of merchandise) very fine in quality

   unexceeded, unexcelled, unsurpassed

   not capable of being improved on

   unsurpassable

   not to be exceeded

   incomparable, uncomparable

   such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared

   good

   having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

   superior

   of high or superior quality or performance

   top

   situated at the top or highest position
5. verb

   defeat thoroughly
   synonyms: mop up, pip, rack up, whip

   type of:

   beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish

   come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
6. adverb

   to the highest degree of inferiority or badness
   “She suffered worst of all”

   “schools were the worst hit by government spending cuts”

   “the worst dressed person present”