unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
Examples of unlikely in a Sentence
He was an unlikely candidate for the position.
A big city seems like an unlikely place to find wildlife.
I received support from an unlikely ally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Its federal guidance urging employers to cover fertility treatments is voluntary—so unlikely to lead to much change.
—
Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
If the shutdown lasts through next week, the initial jobless report and the September new home sales report are unlikely.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
But that seems unlikely to dim its allure in Hollywood.
—Brett Berk, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
Quick math suggests that unless more than one Group of 5 conference team makes the CFP — highly unlikely — somebody is getting in at 9-3.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
If the shutdown lasts through next week, the initial jobless report and the September new home sales report are unlikely.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
But that seems unlikely to dim its allure in Hollywood.
—Brett Berk, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
Quick math suggests that unless more than one Group of 5 conference team makes the CFP — highly unlikely — somebody is getting in at 9-3.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē
ˈən-
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely story
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
an unlikely place for fishing
unlikeliness
noun
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