improbable

1 of 2

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-bəl 

-ˈpräb-bəl

: unlikely to be true or to occur

an improbable story

also : unlikely but real or true

their improbable come-from-behind victory

improbability

(ˌ)im-ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

improbably

(ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-blē 

-ˈpräb-blē

adverb

improbability

2 of 2

noun

im·​probability (¦)im 

əm+

1

: the quality or state of being improbable

questioned the improbability of a nuclear accident

2

: something improbable

Synonyms of improbable

Adjective

• unlikely

Examples of improbable in a Sentence

Adjective

The team made an improbable comeback.

it seems improbable that the two writers never met since they traveled in the same social circles

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That’s an improbable description for a longtime Wall Street exec — even more so for one who has spent 26 years climbing the ranks of Goldman Sachs, and who may soon ascend to the CEO job at the storied investment bank. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Longtime Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did little to hide his frustration with how the final seconds unfolded in Sunday’s improbable loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL’s debut game in Rio de Janeiro. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

And that set up the Ravens' improbable finish that was capped by Loop's kick sailing through the uprights and the jubilant Ravens swarming their kicker during a wild celebration at the Maracana. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

In the end, their fate came down to seven wild and improbable seconds. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin improbabilis, from in- + probabilis probable

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for improbable

• probable

Kids Definition

improbable

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-bəl 

: not probable : unlikely to be true or to occur

improbability

(ˌ)im-ˌpräb-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

improbably

(ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-blē 

adverb