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Synonyms

scenario

American  
[si-nair-ee-oh, -nahr-] / sɪˈnɛər iˌoʊ, -ˈnɑr- /

noun

plural

scenarios
  1. an outline of the plot of a dramatic work, giving particulars as to the scenes, characters, situations, etc.

  2. the outline or the manuscript of a motion picture or television program, giving the action in the order in which it takes place, the description of scenes and characters, etc.

  3. an imagined or projected sequence of events, especially any of several detailed plans or possibilities.

    One scenario calls for doubling profits by increasing our advertising, the other by reducing costs.

    Synonyms:
    sketch, concept, plan, scheme

scenario British  
/ sɪˈnɑːrɪˌəʊ, sɪˈnɑː-, ˈsiːnərɪst /

noun

  1. a summary of the plot of a play, etc, including information about its characters, scenes, etc

  2. a predicted sequence of events

    let's try another scenario, involving the demise of democracy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • scenarist noun

Etymology

Origin of scenario

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian, from Latin scaenārium, scēnārium, noun use of scaenārius, scēnārius “belonging to the stage, theatrical,” from scaen(a), scēn(a) “background, stage, theater” ( scene ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That scenario had been briefed days earlier to the Gang of Eight—the top Republicans and Democrats in Congress privy to the most sensitive U.S. intelligence about national-security matters.

From The Wall Street Journal

"At the global level, this would open the door to an economic scenario of stagflation," he added, referring to a situation with high inflation and weak or non-existent growth.

From Barron's

A hundred scenarios passed through my head—him letting go, me falling, everyone seeing my extreme humiliation—but even though Oliver was on Team Rachel, no one in that group was mean, exactly.

From Literature

“Worst-case scenario, you can always activate your cuffs and leave,” he said.

From Literature

If the Revolutionary Guard remains intact, Iran experts have described several different scenarios for the regime that may emerge.

From Los Angeles Times