likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.
Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2024
And even that is hardly a slam-dunk, with investors placing the likelihood of a cut in November at 63%, down from 77% a week ago.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 May 2024
The shorter time that brain cells go without oxygenated blood, the greater their likelihood of remaining functional.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2024
Peabody managed to get the coal plant built even as investors abandoned dozens of similar projects, scared off by skyrocketing construction costs and the likelihood that climate pollution eventually would be regulated.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2024
And even that is hardly a slam-dunk, with investors placing the likelihood of a cut in November at 63%, down from 77% a week ago.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 May 2024
The shorter time that brain cells go without oxygenated blood, the greater their likelihood of remaining functional.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2024
Peabody managed to get the coal plant built even as investors abandoned dozens of similar projects, scared off by skyrocketing construction costs and the likelihood that climate pollution eventually would be regulated.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likelihood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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