at worst

1. Also, at the worst.

2. In the least favorable circumstance; under the most difficult conditions. For example, Convicted of taking a bribe, the official believed that at worst he would be sentenced to a few months in prison . [1500s]

3. In the least favorable view or supposition, as in No harm done; at the worst I'll copy the tax return again . Chaucer used this sense in Troilus and Cressida: “For at the worst, it may yet short our way.” [Late 1300s] For the antonym, see at best .

Example Sentences

But in Australia they've long been treated as a bit of a joke - at worst, an annoyance.

From BBC

At best, they were narrowly competent; at worst, morally compromised and dangerously deluded.

From Salon

It had long been clear that the city’s police force was, at best, not up to the challenge — and, at worst, deeply corrupt.

From Los Angeles Times

As for critics, some have continued to dismiss many reality TV shows as superficial escapism, at best - or, at worst, harmfully divisive.

From BBC

Social media at best allows and at worst encourages us to post things we might never say to a person standing in front of us.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• at least 
• partially 
• slightly 
• somewhat