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
Collectively, this racial discrimination increases the likelihood of Black children and adolescents struggling with mental health conditions.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2024
Investors are turning to gold amid softer inflation data and dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, boosting the likelihood of rate cuts this year.
—Abid Ali, CNBC, 17 July 2024
Research shows that a top-scoring student from a low-income home has the same likelihood to complete college as a bottom-scoring classmate from a high-income home.
—Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024
As of Sunday at 5 p.m. EDT, the betting – which legally can't be done in the U.S. – pushed up the likelihood of a Trump victory to just under 70%.
—Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2024
Investors are turning to gold amid softer inflation data and dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, boosting the likelihood of rate cuts this year.
—Abid Ali, CNBC, 17 July 2024
Research shows that a top-scoring student from a low-income home has the same likelihood to complete college as a bottom-scoring classmate from a high-income home.
—Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024
As of Sunday at 5 p.m. EDT, the betting – which legally can't be done in the U.S. – pushed up the likelihood of a Trump victory to just under 70%.
—Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likelihood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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