not likely

idiom

: probably not

"Will she get the job?" "Not likely."

Examples of not likely in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In December, the Attorney General’s office redid her circuit’s contract, Worrell said, slashing funding in some areas and adding on unrealistic measures for success that are not likely to be achieved, which could jeopardize future funding. —Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026

The list included names of dozens of possible prosecution witnesses — several judges among them — along with the names of many people not likely to testify, but who might be referred to during the course of a trial. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2026

That is not likely to change anytime soon. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026

Officials said the new general fund revenue would not likely backfill all that the county stands to lose, but the money would be vital for preserving health care programming. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for not likely

• unlikely