as in probability
the quality or state of being likely to occur
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
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Recent Examples of likelihood
And congenital syphilis — when the disease is passed from mother to baby — has a high likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, or death shortly after birth.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
With each passing day, the likelihood increases that Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch will at least test the market when free agency opens on July 1.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 June 2026
But that's not likely to happen this week as the CME Group's FedWatch tool lists a rate cut likelihood at just over 1% as of Monday morning.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 15 June 2026
This improves the likelihood of upside follow-through over the coming weeks and generates a measured move objective of approximately $75.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
With each passing day, the likelihood increases that Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch will at least test the market when free agency opens on July 1.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 June 2026
But that's not likely to happen this week as the CME Group's FedWatch tool lists a rate cut likelihood at just over 1% as of Monday morning.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 15 June 2026
This improves the likelihood of upside follow-through over the coming weeks and generates a measured move objective of approximately $75.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
-
The market currently assigns about a 41% probability rates are unchanged at year-end, with a 42% chance of one quarter-point hike and 14% of a 50 basis point increase, according to CME FedWatch.—
Justina Lee,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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