likelier; likeliest
1
: having a high probability of occurring or being true : very probable
rain is likely today
2
: apparently qualified : suitable
a likely place
4
: promising
a likely candidate
5
: attractive
a likely child
: in all probability : probably
those who seek power will most likely wind up exercising it—
Halton Arp
Halton ArpSynonyms
Adjective
Adverb
Examples of likely in a Sentence
Adjective
That seems to be the most likely explanation.
This looks like a likely spot for a picnic.
They regard him as a likely candidate for the job.
Adverb
He'll very likely be late.
“Will it rain tomorrow?” “Most likely.”
Recent Examples on the WebKaren Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Any pause at the world’s largest semiconductor foundry is likely to have ripple effects across the entire global supply chain.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
David Sowerby, managing director and portfolio manager for Ancora Advisors in Bloomfield Hills, said the odds of some correction are likely in 2024 given the mounting list of global politics and uncertainty.
—Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Another is jumping early into areas of likely interest.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Bezos joins a roster of ultra-wealthy figures who have made the move to Florida likely as a way to save more money in taxes.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
When broken down by age, the data shows that adults were consistently more likely to fill their Adderall prescriptions than children, but adults saw more substantial decreases in fill rates after the shortage was announced.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
While its growth has slowed in recent years, China is likely to expand at twice the rate of the United States in the years ahead.
—Nicholas R. Lardy, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
Here's what to expect Tuesday, April 2, according to NWS:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 a.m., followed by showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
Max Filby, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024
The powerful earthquake in Taiwan on Wednesday shook a country that was well prepared for a seismic catastrophe — likely more so than some regions of the U.S., several experts said.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The bustling crowd of eager eaters, many of whom likely have no idea this bracket exists, should reassure you that Workingman’s Friend will be just fine.
—The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Other larger structures from WWII are likely still buried under the modern-day park.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
There are grounds for the Justice Department to scrutinize Israel's actions in the war as well, legal experts say, although the path forward would likely be more complicated.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The storyline will likely come up during ESPN’s broadcast of Friday’s game — a broadcast that could rewrite the record books, at least temporarily.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Updating the park would attract even more visitors to downtown and likely spur more development, town officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The Mammoth Mountain area will likely see 2 to 4 inches of snow Saturday evening, while the Tahoe basin will see more activity, with the western shore seeing anything from 2 to 6 inches of snow, Richards said.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024
Adjective
More than 10% of households in L.A. County report having a gun, and many of those are likely to have children, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Any pause at the world’s largest semiconductor foundry is likely to have ripple effects across the entire global supply chain.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
David Sowerby, managing director and portfolio manager for Ancora Advisors in Bloomfield Hills, said the odds of some correction are likely in 2024 given the mounting list of global politics and uncertainty.
—Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Another is jumping early into areas of likely interest.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Bezos joins a roster of ultra-wealthy figures who have made the move to Florida likely as a way to save more money in taxes.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
When broken down by age, the data shows that adults were consistently more likely to fill their Adderall prescriptions than children, but adults saw more substantial decreases in fill rates after the shortage was announced.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
While its growth has slowed in recent years, China is likely to expand at twice the rate of the United States in the years ahead.
—Nicholas R. Lardy, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
Here's what to expect Tuesday, April 2, according to NWS:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 a.m., followed by showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
Adverb
Long term, Farmer said changes likely need to be made to roadways themselves.
—Max Filby, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024
The powerful earthquake in Taiwan on Wednesday shook a country that was well prepared for a seismic catastrophe — likely more so than some regions of the U.S., several experts said.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The bustling crowd of eager eaters, many of whom likely have no idea this bracket exists, should reassure you that Workingman’s Friend will be just fine.
—The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Other larger structures from WWII are likely still buried under the modern-day park.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
There are grounds for the Justice Department to scrutinize Israel's actions in the war as well, legal experts say, although the path forward would likely be more complicated.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Advertisement The storyline will likely come up during ESPN’s broadcast of Friday’s game — a broadcast that could rewrite the record books, at least temporarily.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Updating the park would attract even more visitors to downtown and likely spur more development, town officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
The Mammoth Mountain area will likely see 2 to 4 inches of snow Saturday evening, while the Tahoe basin will see more activity, with the western shore seeing anything from 2 to 6 inches of snow, Richards said.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likely.' 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 likely
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likely. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likely
1 of 2 adjective
like·ly
ˈlī-klē 
likelier; likeliest
1
: very possibly going to happen
it's likely to start raining any time
2
: seeming to be the truth : believable
a likely story
3
: giving hope of turning out well : promising
a likely spot for a picnic
a likely looking customer
likely
2 of 2 adverb
: without great doubt : probably
the first loaves of bread people made were likely hard and flat
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