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
However, in a massive attack involving multiple drones and missiles, the likelihood of a strike making it through is higher.
—Josef Federman and Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024
Rate cut expectations delayed Following recent hotter-than-expected inflation data, the likelihood of a June rate cut has plummeted from 60% to 20%.
—Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024
As a vehicle ages, the likelihood of breakdowns rises, increasing the demand for repair services, said Sarah House, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Wednesday should be rather warm as well, despite the likelihood of a good deal of clouds.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
As the response worsens, the likelihood of ARDS development increases.6
The literature surrounding ARDS and COVID-19 has noted that the two can often go hand-in-hand due to other links.
—Leah Groth, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
At the time of the meeting, the forecast showed a 50% chance of clear skies or overcast and the likelihood of overcast skies was higher in Texas and Oklahoma.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024
Whatever the appeals court decides, the likelihood that this gets appealed to the US Supreme Court is very high.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Other diagnostic methods may suggest the likelihood of endometriosis.
—Anna Almendrala, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Josef Federman and Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024
Rate cut expectations delayed Following recent hotter-than-expected inflation data, the likelihood of a June rate cut has plummeted from 60% to 20%.
—Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024
As a vehicle ages, the likelihood of breakdowns rises, increasing the demand for repair services, said Sarah House, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Wednesday should be rather warm as well, despite the likelihood of a good deal of clouds.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
As the response worsens, the likelihood of ARDS development increases.6
The literature surrounding ARDS and COVID-19 has noted that the two can often go hand-in-hand due to other links.
—Leah Groth, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
At the time of the meeting, the forecast showed a 50% chance of clear skies or overcast and the likelihood of overcast skies was higher in Texas and Oklahoma.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024
Whatever the appeals court decides, the likelihood that this gets appealed to the US Supreme Court is very high.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Other diagnostic methods may suggest the likelihood of endometriosis.
—Anna Almendrala, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
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 18 Apr. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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