最悪|さいあくsaiaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, no-adjectiveworst
   私わたしたちは最悪さいあくの場合ばあいの覚悟かくごはできている。↗

   We are prepared for the worst.
2. na-adjective, interjectionhorrible; horrid; awful; terrible
3. adverbin the worst case; if worst comes to worst

• Synonym最低さいていNeutralMeans the lowest degree, and can condemn a person as despicable, as in 「最低な男」; 「最悪」 is about situations being at their worst. 「最低」 also means least or at least.
• SynonymワーストNeutralA loanword used mainly in rankings, as in 「ワースト記録」 or 「事故ワースト1」; unlike 「最悪」, it is not used as an exclamation.
• Relatedどん底どんぞこNeutralDescribes a state of having hit rock bottom, as in 「不幸のどん底」; 「最悪」 judges how bad things are, while 「どん底」 names the low point itself.
• Antonym最善さいぜんWrittenThe opposite of 「最悪」: the very best. Often seen in 「最善を尽くす」; written/formal in tone, and used mostly of methods and efforts.
• Antonym最高さいこうNeutralThe most common opposite of 「最悪」, meaning best or wonderful; in colloquial speech it can stand alone as an exclamation. Also used of the highest figures or amounts.
• Antonym最良さいりょうWrittenAnother opposite of 「最悪」, meaning the best or most ideal, as in 「最良の選択」; written/formal in tone — in speech people say 「最高」.

Use 「最悪」 for situations at their worst, 「最低」 to call someone or something despicable, and 「ワースト」 in rankings. For the opposite, 「最高」 is the everyday choice, while 「最善」 and 「最良」 suit formal, written contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 最もっとも悪わるいこと。またその様子ようす。
2. （副詞ふくし的てきに）最もっとも悪わるい場合ばあいには。悪わるくすると。
3. 状況じょうきょう・気分きぶん・調子ちょうし・品性ひんせい・品質ひんしつなどが非常ひじょうに悪わるく感かんじられること。