scenario
noun
sce·nar·io
sə-ˈner-ē-ˌō 
US also and especially British -ˈnär-
plural scenarios
1
a
: an outline or synopsis of a play
especially
: a plot outline used by actors of the commedia dell'arte
b
: the libretto of an opera
2
a
b
3
: a sequence of events especially when imagined
especially
: an account or synopsis of a possible course of action or events
his scenario for a settlement envisages … reunification —
Selig Harrison
Selig Harrison Examples of scenario in a Sentence
A possible scenario would be that we move to the city.
The most likely scenario is that he goes back to school in the fall.
The best-case scenario would be for us to finish the work by tomorrow.
In the worst-case scenario, we would have to start the project all over again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Not every such deprivation becomes a literal matter of life and death as in the play, but making use of such scenarios enables Shakespeare to highlight more effectively the danger of arbitrary action.
—JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
Mudslides are all but guaranteed in this scenario.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
In this scenario, 600-odd Chinese coast guard vessels would take the lead, alongside the 3,000 or so armed fishing boats that form China’s maritime militia, although backed up by naval strike groups lurking close by.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Tensions rise, defensive measures fail and the scenario grows more dire by the minute until that ticking clock runs out.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scenario
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.
JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
Mudslides are all but guaranteed in this scenario.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
In this scenario, 600-odd Chinese coast guard vessels would take the lead, alongside the 3,000 or so armed fishing boats that form China’s maritime militia, although backed up by naval strike groups lurking close by.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Tensions rise, defensive measures fail and the scenario grows more dire by the minute until that ticking clock runs out.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scenario
Cite this Entry
“Scenario.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scenario. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scenario
noun
sce·nar·io
sə-ˈnar-ē-ˌō
-ˈner-,
-ˈnär-
plural scenarios
1
a
: an outline of a play
b
: the text of an opera
2
3
: a sequence of events especially when imagined
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share