at best

ADVERB

partly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

at least partially slightly somewhat

WEAK

at most at worst bit by bit by degrees carelessly halfway in a general way in bits and pieces in part in some measure in some ways inadequately incompletely insufficiently little by little measurably not entirely not fully not strictly speaking not wholly notably noticeably piece by piece piecemeal relatively so far as possible to a certain degree to a certain extent up to a certain point within limits

Antonyms

WEAK

completely totally wholly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

at best

Remembering that lesson will surely help bereaved families through a process that many find bewildering at best; incomprehensible at worst.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

That sent long-term rates plunging but they rebounded on Thursday, with Mark Malek, of Muriel Siebert & Co, calling it "a housekeeping move destined to be short-term, at best".

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

But more often than not, the combination comes off forced; corny at best, insipid at worst.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

The economy will likely at best only expand marginally in the quarter, it noted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Her English was middling at best; her reading comprehension minimal.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

at best

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words