improbable

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

Synonyms of improbable

• unlikely

Examples of improbable in a Sentence

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

The networks will have no trouble digging up clips, from Wayne Cashman and Jim Schoenfeld fighting their way through the Zamboni door at the Aud in 1972, to Brad Park’s Game 7 overtime winner in 1983, to Brad May’s OT winner to complete the Sabres’ improbable sweep of the B’s in 1993. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

How Truman understood sports Perhaps most appealingly to anyone locally, though, is Truman’s seemingly improbable enchantment with sports. —Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

In doing so, the tabloid has become an improbable fount of accountability in a political era characterized by impasse, fear, and an ad-nauseam passing of the buck. —Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026

Among the many obsessive bloggers and observers who cover the industry, the idea was mostly treated as so improbable, even delusional, as to be not even worth taking seriously. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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