best-case
Most favorable outcome
Best-case describes the most favorable outcome among possibilities: In the best-case scenario, we finish by Friday.
It's often used to set optimistic bounds on expectations or planning, contrasting with worst-case.
The hyphen is standard when used as an adjective before a noun.
Postulated event sequence
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- estimateInformed guess at quantity
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
outcome · contingency · analysis · simulation · prediction · model · baseline · ceiling
Expecting positive results
- promisingShowing signs of success
- rosyPinkly warm or hopeful
- sanguineCheerfully optimistic temperament
- encouragingGiving confidence or hope
favorable · auspicious · propitious · heartening · reassuring · buoyant · confident · expectant
Most desirable outcome
- perfectWithout any flaw
- optimumMost favorable condition
- flawlessEntirely without fault
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
utopian · superlative · supreme · unbeatable · unsurpassed · prime · quintessential · paradigmatic
scenario
Postulated event sequence
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- estimateInformed guess at quantity
assumption · outcome · contingency · analysis · simulation · prediction · model · baseline · ceiling · target
optimistic
Expecting positive results
- promisingShowing signs of success
- rosyPinkly warm or hopeful
- sanguineCheerfully optimistic temperament
encouraging · favorable · auspicious · propitious · heartening · reassuring · buoyant · confident · expectant · sunny
optimal
Most desirable outcome
exemplary · utopian · superlative · supreme · unbeatable · unsurpassed · prime · quintessential · paradigmatic · archetypal
- scenarioshypothetical, what-if, nightmare scenario, dream scenario, backup plan
best-caseworst-case
Most unfavorable outcome imaginable
worst-case scenario · doomsday scenario · nightmare scenario · catastrophic · bleakest
best, case, better, suitcase, betting, bets, betterment, casement, bettor