worst nightmare

noun

: the thing someone fears most
Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare.

Examples of worst nightmare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What started off as a normal weekday for a Decatur County family quickly turned into their worst nightmare. Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 11 July 2025 That combined with their willingness to talk openly about their mental health created an ex's worst nightmare on TikTok these past couple weeks. Sam Woodward, USA Today, 19 June 2025 That might sound like a disaster waiting to happen (or your worst nightmare), but for the Kardashians, having someone who understands both sides of their relationship is actually a bonus, not a drawback. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025 Three days later, the family’s worst nightmare became their reality, and one-year-old Safwan and his four-year-old brother Huzaifa were left without a father. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for worst nightmare

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worst nightmare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worst%20nightmare. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!