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
Oklahoma City is still favored to advance past San Antonio, though, and at much stronger odds than before Game 3, moving from -160 on BetMGM to a whopping -450, or an over 80 percent likelihood of winning.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The likelihood that America would ever fight wars against China, Russia and Iran at the same time is slim.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2026
However, if this year does, in fact, see low-double-digit growth, the likelihood of that happening next year is even lower, Brown said.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The likelihood that America would ever fight wars against China, Russia and Iran at the same time is slim.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2026
However, if this year does, in fact, see low-double-digit growth, the likelihood of that happening next year is even lower, Brown said.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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