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
Yet, the ease of starting a business today does not inherently increase the likelihood of its success.
—Victor Orlovski, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Within three years of leaving a state youth prison, four in 10 return to either the juvenile or adult prison system and those who don't return to prison face a higher likelihood of dying an early death.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2024
The exact cause of bruxism is unclear, but a few things can increase its likelihood.
—Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
This practice creates confusion about item availability, potentially results in lost sales for the estate, and increases the likelihood of being blacklisted from future estate sale invitations.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Victor Orlovski, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Within three years of leaving a state youth prison, four in 10 return to either the juvenile or adult prison system and those who don't return to prison face a higher likelihood of dying an early death.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2024
The exact cause of bruxism is unclear, but a few things can increase its likelihood.
—Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
This practice creates confusion about item availability, potentially results in lost sales for the estate, and increases the likelihood of being blacklisted from future estate sale invitations.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 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 2 Nov. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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