unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
Examples of unlikely in a Sentence
He was an unlikely candidate for the position.
A big city seems like an unlikely place to find wildlife.
I received support from an unlikely ally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their unlikely friendship ended in February 1987, when Warhol died suddenly after a complicated gall bladder operation.
—
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
While the Hong Kong listing should enhance the company’s liquidity and visibility, Zephirin added that a valuation re-rating is unlikely without meaningful gains in capital efficiency or strategy execution.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
There was potential for them, which now seems unlikely, but anything could happen in the weeks and months ahead.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
According to New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Mets are unlikely to take Alonso back again this time around, largely due to his defensive shortcomings.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
While the Hong Kong listing should enhance the company’s liquidity and visibility, Zephirin added that a valuation re-rating is unlikely without meaningful gains in capital efficiency or strategy execution.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
There was potential for them, which now seems unlikely, but anything could happen in the weeks and months ahead.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
According to New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Mets are unlikely to take Alonso back again this time around, largely due to his defensive shortcomings.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē
ˈən-
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely story
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
an unlikely place for fishing
unlikeliness
noun
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