Help me Find a Word -- Least Worst or Less Worse

[WhipperSnapper]

Is there a word in the English language to express "least worst" or "less worse". I have been using those terms a lot lately. For example:

"I voted for Obama because he was the least worst of two bad candidates."

"The job market in Texas is the least worst in the country."

I'm pretty sure that there isn't a term in the English language for this, but it seems like a valid and useful concept that deserves to have a word. How do you express that something is bad but better than a bunch of other worse things? I know that I could say, "not as bad as" but I feel that that doesn't really capture what I want to express by "least worst" or "less worse".

 

[Aluvus]

"I voted for Obama because he was the least worst of two bad candidates."

"lesser of two evils" (no political opinion implied)

"The job market in Texas is the least worst in the country."

"least bad", "least terrible", etc.

 

[sandorski]

Worst>>Less Worse>>Least Worse
...1>>>>>>>2>>>>>>>>more than 2

Basically speaking. I think saying "Least Worse" when only 2 things are compared is probably ok, but the phrase is kinda awkward IMO.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Neither "least worst" and "less worse" make sense. Like Aluvus sad, "least bad" (replace "bad" with any synonyms for "bad" if you like) makes the most sense.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Worst>>Less Worse>>Least Worse

Arg no, "less worse" makes me eyes bleed

 

[masterxfob]

lesser evil

 

[EricFartman]

bad---worse---worst

 

[marvdmartian]

Perhaps say, "the best of the worst"?? :hmm:

 

[Arcadio]

Using the word "better" or "best" does not imply that the things you are comparing are good. That's why there is no word for "less worse" or "least worst".

 

[SunSamurai]

http://www.google.com/search?q=word+for+%27least+worse'

Click the first link for your answer

 

[SlitheryDee]

Use a word that suggests questionable quality like "tolerable" or "passable".

 

[sandorski]

http://www.google.com/search?q=word+for+'least+worse'

Click the first link for your answer

I was right..woohoo