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 WebUSA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
Harris and Clark are likely to fight for the starting shooting guard spot.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
While it is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged in its decision on Wednesday, investors will watch a news conference with Powell closely for hints about how long rates are likely to stay on hold.
—Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
In fact, only one of them is likely to lightly tap an atom in your body in your entire lifetime.
—Doug Cowen, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, speculation continued to swirl whether the 49ers might trade Samuel, a more likely candidate than Aiyuk since the first-round collateral had been spent Thursday.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
Some people, like older adults, may be more likely than others to experience low-grade fevers.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 26 Apr. 2024
For now, at least, Scott appears likely to face Democratic former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the November election.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Friday’s weather should be isolated mainly to rains, with winds not expected to gust much higher than 25 miles per hour and hail less likely.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
Simon Crompton, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2024
Barrett did a nice job of filling out the stat sheet at Michigan, and the Panthers likely view him as a potential special teams ace with the new kickoff rule in place.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2024
In court, most of the debate will likely focus on whether the ban would infringe on Americans’ and TikTok’s First Amendment rights, Chander said.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024
This watch will likely expand east slightly as the day wears on.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2024
That was always going to be costly, but nobody likely anticipated just how much.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
The Cowboys missed out on getting a running back and will likely target that position on the final day of the draft.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2024
Many historians speculate that Crockett's wife and family likely learned of his March 6, 1836, death through this correspondence.
—arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
After processing and pending his medical results, he’ll likely be sent to a California prison to serve out that sentence.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024
Adjective
In Iowa, the NWS says that rain showers and storms are likely to happen in the central and southern parts of the state in the evening hours on Saturday.
—USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
Harris and Clark are likely to fight for the starting shooting guard spot.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
While it is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged in its decision on Wednesday, investors will watch a news conference with Powell closely for hints about how long rates are likely to stay on hold.
—Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
In fact, only one of them is likely to lightly tap an atom in your body in your entire lifetime.
—Doug Cowen, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, speculation continued to swirl whether the 49ers might trade Samuel, a more likely candidate than Aiyuk since the first-round collateral had been spent Thursday.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
Some people, like older adults, may be more likely than others to experience low-grade fevers.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 26 Apr. 2024
For now, at least, Scott appears likely to face Democratic former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the November election.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Friday’s weather should be isolated mainly to rains, with winds not expected to gust much higher than 25 miles per hour and hail less likely.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
Adverb
If pairing a soft shirt with tailored chinos and a crisp blouson, said shirt will likely be sharpest in white, navy, or gray—in that order—but even when adding color, the principle remains: Think beige, taupe, and olive over royal blue and acid yellow.
—Simon Crompton, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2024
Barrett did a nice job of filling out the stat sheet at Michigan, and the Panthers likely view him as a potential special teams ace with the new kickoff rule in place.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2024
In court, most of the debate will likely focus on whether the ban would infringe on Americans’ and TikTok’s First Amendment rights, Chander said.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024
This watch will likely expand east slightly as the day wears on.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2024
That was always going to be costly, but nobody likely anticipated just how much.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
The Cowboys missed out on getting a running back and will likely target that position on the final day of the draft.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2024
Many historians speculate that Crockett's wife and family likely learned of his March 6, 1836, death through this correspondence.
—arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
After processing and pending his medical results, he’ll likely be sent to a California prison to serve out that sentence.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 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 1 May. 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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