as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Three years have passed since the stadium-sized clown show of the duo’s last record, 10,000 gecs, and Brady’s been feverishly cooking up unlikely collaborations and solo material.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Sullivan will speak, but owner Steve Ross is unlikely to speak during the four-day event.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
This option is often used by taxpayers whose financial outlook has permanently changed due to health issues or disability, making full repayment unlikely.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Because patient populations in the rare disease space can sometimes only consist of a few thousand — or even a few dozen people — drug companies have been hesitant to invest that kind of time and capital developing a drug that's unlikely to turn a profit.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Sullivan will speak, but owner Steve Ross is unlikely to speak during the four-day event.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
This option is often used by taxpayers whose financial outlook has permanently changed due to health issues or disability, making full repayment unlikely.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Because patient populations in the rare disease space can sometimes only consist of a few thousand — or even a few dozen people — drug companies have been hesitant to invest that kind of time and capital developing a drug that's unlikely to turn a profit.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Featuring so many plugs for Chick-fil-A that one hopes the producers got a good product-placement fee or at least free catering for the film shoot, Plantman & Blondie might have been amusing enough as a brief sketch, although frankly even that’s doubtful.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
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Surveying the field, Morrisson is doubtful there's a candidate who can top Biss - especially a challenger running further to the left.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And year after year, NYU has routinely been ranked with the dubious distinction of burdening its graduates with more debt than any other university in the United States.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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Heightened demand for cash further stresses a financial system that was considered dubious even before the current war started three weeks ago.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Saturday, further uncertainty entered the equation, with guard Norman Powell listed as questionable due to calf tightness, having recently missed seven consecutive games due to a groin strain.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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He was previously listed as questionable to play on the team’s injury report.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Powerhouse Duke wobbled into an improbable, surreal 11-point halftime deficit against Siena.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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The Italian-Americans of the Azzurri, fresh off an improbable World Baseball Classic run, carry the stories of their grandparents with them.—
Nicola Bambini,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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