worst

Definitions

1. 1.Bad, evil, or pernicious, in the highest degree, whether in a physical or moral sense. See Worse. "Heard so oft in worst extremes." Milton. I have a wife, the worst that may be. Chaucer. If thou hadst not been born the worst of men, Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer. Shak.
2. 2.That which is most bad or evil; the most severe, pernicious, calamitous, or wicked state or degree. The worst is not So long as we can say, This is the worst. Shak. He is always sure of finding diversion when the worst comes to the worst. Addison.
3. 3.To gain advantage over, in contest or competition; to get the better of; to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit. The . . . Philistines were worsted by the captivated ark. South.
4. 4.To grow worse; to deteriorate. [R.] "Every face . . . worsting." Jane Austen.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "worst" mean?
• What is another word for "worst"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is worst.

• What is to gain advantage over, in contest or competition; to get the better of; to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit. The . . . Philistines were worsted by the captivated ark. South called?
• What is to grow worse; to deteriorate. [R.] "Every face . . . worsting." Jane Austen called?