likelier; likeliest
1
: having a high probability of occurring or being true : very probable
rain is likely today
2
: apparently qualified : suitable
a likely place
4
: promising
a likely candidate
5
: attractive
a likely child
Examples of likely in a Sentence
That seems to be the most likely explanation.
This looks like a likely spot for a picnic.
They regard him as a likely candidate for the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Parents and school employees were more likely to favor cellphone bans than students were, according to the survey results.
—
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
The Pentagon on Monday added some of China’s biggest companies to a blacklist of firms accused of aiding Beijing’s military, a move likely to stir tensions between the superpowers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
The champion is likely to be one of the top teams – think France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England or Portugal.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Zhu Xichan, an automotive safety expert and former professor at Tongji University, told China Daily that liquid, semi-solid-state, and fully solid-state batteries are likely to coexist for many years because each serves different applications and market needs.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
The Pentagon on Monday added some of China’s biggest companies to a blacklist of firms accused of aiding Beijing’s military, a move likely to stir tensions between the superpowers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
The champion is likely to be one of the top teams – think France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England or Portugal.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Zhu Xichan, an automotive safety expert and former professor at Tongji University, told China Daily that liquid, semi-solid-state, and fully solid-state batteries are likely to coexist for many years because each serves different applications and market needs.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likely. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likely
1 of 2 adjective
like·ly
ˈlī-klē 
likelier; likeliest
1
: very possibly going to happen
it's likely to start raining any time
2
: seeming to be the truth : believable
a likely story
3
: giving hope of turning out well : promising
a likely spot for a picnic
a likely looking customer
likely
2 of 2 adverb
: without great doubt : probably
the first loaves of bread people made were likely hard and flat
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
