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
Venus will make its ravishing debut in Aries the following day, spicing things up in your social life while increasing the likelihood of encountering passion and romance.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
For example, many people who experience insomnia also have a high level of stress, increasing the likelihood of hair loss.
—Michael MacIntyre, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The publication Devex, which reports on international development, convened a webinar of experts on foreign aid on Monday to field questions about how to comply with stop work orders, how to manage cash flows, the likelihood of receiving a waiver.
—Thalia Beaty, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
However, the tool shows there is still roughly a 28% likelihood of one cut, and an almost 10% possibility of zero cuts.
—Lisa Kailai Han,brian Evans, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
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Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
For example, many people who experience insomnia also have a high level of stress, increasing the likelihood of hair loss.
—Michael MacIntyre, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The publication Devex, which reports on international development, convened a webinar of experts on foreign aid on Monday to field questions about how to comply with stop work orders, how to manage cash flows, the likelihood of receiving a waiver.
—Thalia Beaty, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
However, the tool shows there is still roughly a 28% likelihood of one cut, and an almost 10% possibility of zero cuts.
—Lisa Kailai Han,brian Evans, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
Articles Related to likelihood
Dictionary Entries Near likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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