1
as in likelihood
the quality or state of being likely to occur
the plot of the movie thriller was exciting and surprising but woefully lacking in probability
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in odds
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another
the probability of flipping a coin and getting heads 50 times in a row is not good
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Recent Examples of probability
In all probability, both Mexico and South Korea will need just one more win to put themselves in the knockout stages — while the Czech Republic will likely need to beat South Africa before getting a result against Mexico in their final game to progress.
—
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Mauboussin notes that investors must consider probabilities when investing in a stock, since significant losses and a few winners are likely drivers of investment success and failure.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Beyond this summer, probabilities for El Niño to continue until at least November are near or above 90%.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for probability
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Mauboussin notes that investors must consider probabilities when investing in a stock, since significant losses and a few winners are likely drivers of investment success and failure.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Beyond this summer, probabilities for El Niño to continue until at least November are near or above 90%.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for probability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probability
likelihood
Noun
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
There was also a growing belief among prison officials, around the time of the Attica prison uprising, that being more responsive to prisoners' concerns would reduce the likelihood of violence or rioting.—
Christie Thompson,
NPR,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probability. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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