at best

phrase

: under the most favorable circumstances
won't be finished for another three months at best
At best, you will earn back what you paid in.
He's an average writer at best.
… was among the worst schools in a city whose public education could be described as struggling, at best.—Ann Carrns

Examples of at best in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One accidental move could ruin the attempt, requiring a correction at best, and a possible restart at worst. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 But the impact of these scenes is undercut by the fact that if Matt is a two-dimensional character, at best, everyone around him is one-dimensional and rudimentary. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 However, those are two big, strong, and reliable targets that are banged up at best, or unavailable at worst. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Rainfall in the Central Valley will be light at best, but up to an inch will be possible or areas along the coast as the low pushes cold moist air over land. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at best

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at best was in 1556

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20best. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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