likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Shapiro, a professor of government and public affairs at Columbia University, questioned whether the removal of social media would meaningfully reduce the likelihood of political violence.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
President Joe Biden also faced scrutiny after documents were discovered at his Delaware home, but special counsel Robert Hur declined to bring charges, citing insufficient likelihood of conviction.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Had law enforcement been called, the likelihood of Estes receiving timely medical care and having evidence preserved and her parents contacted would have gone up significantly.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Max Zahn, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
President Joe Biden also faced scrutiny after documents were discovered at his Delaware home, but special counsel Robert Hur declined to bring charges, citing insufficient likelihood of conviction.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Had law enforcement been called, the likelihood of Estes receiving timely medical care and having evidence preserved and her parents contacted would have gone up significantly.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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