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
At the same time, certain factors can increase the likelihood of this mismatch between mind and body.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Still others are acknowledging the likelihood of a bubble without sounding too worried about it.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Recent data from Capital One Shopping reveals that 56 percent of Gen Z consumers have made purchases based on influencer recommendations, while 68 percent express a high likelihood of purchasing directly within the TikTok app.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Wednesday’s Producer Price Index report showed the war with Iran is raising costs for US businesses at a rate not seen in nearly four years, increasing the likelihood that companies will pass on those higher costs to consumers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Still others are acknowledging the likelihood of a bubble without sounding too worried about it.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Recent data from Capital One Shopping reveals that 56 percent of Gen Z consumers have made purchases based on influencer recommendations, while 68 percent express a high likelihood of purchasing directly within the TikTok app.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Wednesday’s Producer Price Index report showed the war with Iran is raising costs for US businesses at a rate not seen in nearly four years, increasing the likelihood that companies will pass on those higher costs to consumers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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