improbable

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-bəl How to pronounce improbable (audio)
-ˈpräb-bəl
: unlikely to be true or to occur
also : unlikely but real or true
improbably
(ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-blē How to pronounce improbable (audio)
-ˈpräb-blē
adverb

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 Indeed, that appears inevitable for Punk, who has been great in the ring and as a character since his improbable return in late 2023. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024 At the head of the circle a civil servant takes notes while the scientists careen from one improbable idea to another. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024 Tina Turner, Private Dancer Turner staged one of the most improbable comebacks in music history at age 44 with Private Dancer, which has since sold 12 million copies worldwide. Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2024 Graced with an improbable combination of gobsmacking curves and an almost unbeatable track record spanning several decades, the GTO was conceived as a homologated, roadgoing version of the FIA’s touring car class—hence, the Gran Turismo Omologato descriptor. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for improbable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improbable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of improbable was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near improbable

Cite this Entry

“Improbable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improbable. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

improbable

adjective
im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-bəl How to pronounce improbable (audio)
: not probable : unlikely to be true or to occur
improbably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on improbable

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