Meanings
nounworst of both worlds (uncountable)
- idiomaticsingularsingular onlyuncountableA solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, often having been intended to combine their benefits instead.
The Worst of Both Worlds: Violating Rights without Gaining Security
2004: Paul H. Douglas Ethics in Government Program, The Challenge of Terrorism: Protecting Citizens, Preserving Values, essay 1: Nadine Strossen, “The Worst of Both Worlds: Violating Rights without Gaining Security” (Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois)Antonyms: best of both worlds
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, often having been intended to combine their benefits instead.
Opposite
Origin
Translations
Chinese Mandarin 兩敗俱傷的妥協 /两败俱伤的妥协
- 兩敗俱傷的妥協 /两败俱伤的妥协 (liǎngbàijùshāng de tuǒxié)scenario which combines disadvantages
Dutch het slechtste van twee werelden
- het slechtste van twee wereldenscenario which combines disadvantages
Finnish huonot puolet molemmista
- huonot puolet molemmistascenario which combines disadvantages
Cite this entry
APA
worst of both worlds. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/worst%20of%20both%20worlds
MLA
“worst of both worlds.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/worst%20of%20both%20worlds. Accessed November 5, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “worst of both worlds,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/worst%20of%20both%20worlds.
Source: worst of both worlds on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.