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
Together with patients’ clinical data, these findings are used to create a scoring system that predicts the likelihood of cancer recurrence over the next decade, the researchers said.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Had it been left to the druthers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leadership of Hamas, there is every likelihood that the devastation of Gaza would have continued into a third year.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Other Fed officials have said recently that the falling labor market is taking precedence in their thinking, leading to the likelihood of additional rate cuts ahead.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Had it been left to the druthers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leadership of Hamas, there is every likelihood that the devastation of Gaza would have continued into a third year.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Other Fed officials have said recently that the falling labor market is taking precedence in their thinking, leading to the likelihood of additional rate cuts ahead.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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