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

And Weaver ended the inning by getting Anthony Volpe to ground into a forceout, preserving the Mets’ two-run lead in improbable fashion. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 May 2026

After a wild rookie season with a rocky beginning, a lengthy injury absence and an improbable transformation into an effective playoff closer in October, Sasaki is making progress on settling into the rotation. —ABC News, 17 May 2026

The closing scene, from Cleveland’s perspective, was pain, the sting of a blown 3-1 series lead and the screeching halt of an improbable, magical journey. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Wright has been a champion of LeBron's accomplishments for quite some time, declaring James the GOAT over Michael Jordan nearly a decade earlier, after the former's improbable Finals win over the Golden State Warriors. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 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