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
This scenario could be improved from a necessary cost to a driver of innovation and competitive advantage.
—Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
In other words, on a negative reaction, the best-case scenario would be having the stock respect the most recent low near $159.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Taipei, Taiwan Reuters — A real Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war and have far-reaching consequences for international trade, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday after last week’s drills by China that practiced such a scenario.
—Reuters, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Our four scenarios: Republican sweep: Trump, with a Republican House and Senate, would institutionalize the MAGA movement, with massive consequences for governance, civil rights and international relations.
—Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scenario 
Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
In other words, on a negative reaction, the best-case scenario would be having the stock respect the most recent low near $159.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Taipei, Taiwan Reuters — A real Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war and have far-reaching consequences for international trade, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday after last week’s drills by China that practiced such a scenario.
—Reuters, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Our four scenarios: Republican sweep: Trump, with a Republican House and Senate, would institutionalize the MAGA movement, with massive consequences for governance, civil rights and international relations.
—Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scenario
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scenario.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scenario
Cite this Entry
“Scenario.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scenario. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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
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