worst vs the worst

Both 'worst' and 'the worst' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Worst' is used as a comparative or superlative adjective, while 'the worst' is used as a noun phrase to refer to the most extreme or least favorable situation or thing.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1167 views

This is correct as a comparative or superlative adjective.

"worst"

Use 'worst' when comparing two or more things, indicating the least favorable or most severe option.

Examples:

This is the worst movie I've ever seen.
Of all the choices, this is the worst one.

Show examples from the web [+]

Power outage must be your worst nightmare.
Molly faced her worst nightmare for you.
My worst nightmare in one sentence.
Your worst fear realized - Gina.
So everyone here should overcome his worst fear.
And it's disgusting at worst.
Ricky Spanish... ...really is your worst persona ever.
For the record, not your worst opening line.
For the record, not your worst opening line.
Why we always see Christ at his worst moment.
It's literally my worst nightmare.
My worst nightmare is cats walking on two legs.
Well, take your worst fear and multiply it by infinity.
They describe the situation as their worst nightmare.
And he's the very worst thing in the world.
Aside from waking up a foot shorter, my worst nightmare.
This is now officially my worst nightmare.
I'm the world's worst nightmare.
Something out of my worst nightmare.
Seriously, Spencer, worst eulogy ever.

Alternatives:

bad
poor
inferior
least favorable

This is correct as a noun phrase to refer to the most extreme or least favorable situation or thing.

"the worst"

Use 'the worst' when referring to the most extreme or least favorable situation or thing.

Examples:

This is the worst-case scenario.
She always expects the worst to happen.

Show examples from the web [+]

Assume the worst until we learn more.
All that time people thinking the worst.
Brings out the worst in people.
I thought I was through the worst of it.
But the worst, the worst was the ending.
Hide-and-seek is literally the worst game ever.
You're the worst security ever.
Imagine the worst dental appointment of all time.
That's the worst punishment an ordinary life.
An accident is not the worst trouble.
Sometimes the worst decision is not trusting anyone.
But the worst psychopaths often stay unnoticed.
That was seriously the worst audition ever.
Stuff with kids is always the worst.
I just had the worst night ever.
This is officially the worst vacation ever.
Stefan is officially the worst gift giver.
You always frame everything in the worst possible light.
She got our before the worst.
That was the worst food ever.

Alternatives:

the most unfavorable
the least desirable
the most severe

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worst vs the worst

"worst"

"the worst"

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