Definition of likelihood
:probability
- a strong likelihood that he is correct
- —T. D. Anderson
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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 of likelihood from the Web
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Increasing the likelihood of disaster was the inclusion of four uncompromising avant-jazz luminaries: Jack DeJohnette (drums), Terje Rypdal (guitar), Steve Swallow (bass), and Carla Bley (piano).
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Perhaps people were already ill at the time their personalities were measured, affecting both their neuroticism scores and their likelihood of premature death during the data collection.
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That U of L elected to have a hearing is not unusual, though that doesn't always have a bearing on the likelihood of an appeal's success.
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Officials believe that a recent wildfire, which stripped away acres of brush and trees, increased the likelihood of a flash flood after the heavy rain this weekend.
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The invitation, which comes after initial vetting by the EPA, doesn’t guarantee funding but signals a very high likelihood of acceptance.
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Gene drive works by tinkering with the rules of inheritance, increasing the likelihood a gene will be passed to the next generation.
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Prosecutors cited a number of Twitter messages from the @BLMBro account that criticized evidence in the trial, arguing that there was a strong likelihood that the account is Mr. Shkreli’s despite a post saying it is run by a fan.
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The likelihood, experts say, is that some serious mistake by Cunanan or tip from the public will eventually nail him.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'likelihood.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of likelihood
likelihood Synonyms
Synonyms
liability, probabilityAntonyms
improbability, unlikelihood, unlikelinessRelated Words
credibility, plausibility, plausibleness; feasibility, feasibleness, possibility, potentiality, reasonability, reasonableness, viabilityNear Antonyms
doubtfulness, dubiousness; impracticability, impracticality; implausibility, incredibility, incrediblenessLIKELIHOOD Defined for English Language Learners
likelihood
play
noun
Definition of likelihood for English Language Learners
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: the chance that something will happen
LIKELIHOOD Defined for Kids
likelihood
play
noun
like·li·hood
\
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
\
Definition of likelihood for Students
:probability 1
- In all likelihood we will go.
Learn More about likelihood
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See words that rhyme with likelihood Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for likelihood Spanish Central: Translation of likelihood Nglish: Translation of likelihood for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of likelihood for Arabic speakers
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