superlative of bad
or of ill
1
: most corrupt, bad, evil, or ill
his worst fault
2
a
: most unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful
the worst news
your worst enemy
b
: most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived
has the worst table manners
c
: least skillful or efficient
the worst person for the job
3
: most wanting in quality, value, or condition
the worst results
superlative of ill
or illy
or of bad
or badly
1
: to the extreme degree of badness or inferiority
the worst dressed person
2
: to the greatest or highest degree
groups who need the subsidies worst lose out—
T. W. Arnold
T. W. Arnold
Phrases
the worst way
: very much
such men … need indoctrination the worst way—J. G. Cozzens
—often used with inJ. G. Cozzenswanted a new bicycle in the worst way
: under the worst circumstances
Synonyms
Examples of worst in a Sentence
Adjective
This is the worst car I've ever bought.
In my opinion, it's her worst book.
It was the worst movie I've ever seen.
His worst quality is his impatience.
This has got to be the worst day of my life.
The worst part of working there is the long commute.
My worst fears came true.
He lives in the worst area of the city.
He is the worst singer I've ever heard.
They're the worst team ever.
Adverb
My sister was hurt worst.
the areas worst hit by the drought
She was voted the worst-dressed celebrity of 2005.
Noun
What's the worst that can happen?
When it comes to dancing, he is the worst.
That movie was the worst!
He is the worst of the bunch.
He is one of the worst in the class.
Even in the worst of times, she was hopeful.
It's still raining, but the worst of the storm is over now.
The worst of it is, I don't even know how to contact her.
The company was operating on high costs and low prices—the worst of both worlds.
Verb
how humiliating for a tennis champ to be worsted by a player no one had ever heard of
Recent Examples on the Web
C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2023
Continue below to see the top 10 best and worst cities for football fans in 2023.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2023
Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
Regardless of who wins, at worst, Phalen will have a chance to compete in the traditional fire-making challenge in order to earn a spot in the final three.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
Stewart, a former No. 1 overall pick, struggled during the postseason run, averaging career playoff worsts in points per game and field-goal percentage.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worst 
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Adjective
But all of that would’ve been forgiven if Golden State’s offense didn’t cool down at the worst possible time.
—C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2023
Continue below to see the top 10 best and worst cities for football fans in 2023.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2023
Adverb
However, the film faced mediocre response from the audience, even scoring four Razzie Awards at the time, with stars Affleck and Cavill winning for worst onscreen combo while Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor gave him a worst supporting actor Razzie.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
Regardless of who wins, at worst, Phalen will have a chance to compete in the traditional fire-making challenge in order to earn a spot in the final three.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
In 122 games, Verdugo was on pace to post career worsts in batting average (.229), on-base percentage (.288), slugging percentage (.353) and in OPS (.641).
—Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
Stewart, a former No. 1 overall pick, struggled during the postseason run, averaging career playoff worsts in points per game and field-goal percentage.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for worst
Articles Related to worst
Dictionary Entries Near worst
Cite this Entry
“Worst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
worst
1 of 4 adjectivesuperlative of bad
or of ill
1
: most bad, evil, or ill
his worst habit
2
a
: most unfavorable, unpleasant, or painful
the worst problem imaginable
b
: most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived
has the worst manners
c
: least skillful or efficient
the worst plumber you can hire
3
: most wanting in quality, value, or condition
farmed the worst land
worst
3 of 4 noun1
: one that is worst
always chooses the worst
2
: the greatest degree of ill or badness
if worse comes to worst
worst
4 of 4 verb
: to get the better of : defeat
worsted his opponents
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