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
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game is much mythologized in NBA lore, but his extremely unlikely performance at the foul line that night isn’t recognized often.
—
Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Defeat to the Netherlands would eliminate them (unless Wales were to beat France, leaving England praying for an unlikely 9-3-3-3 group and scraping through in second, which simply isn’t going to happen).
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Nutrient deficiencies are unlikely to cause leaf browning, so fertilizer is not the answer to brown leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Defeat to the Netherlands would eliminate them (unless Wales were to beat France, leaving England praying for an unlikely 9-3-3-3 group and scraping through in second, which simply isn’t going to happen).
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Nutrient deficiencies are unlikely to cause leaf browning, so fertilizer is not the answer to brown leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 July 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 14 Jul. 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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