unlikely

adjective

un·​like·​ly ˌən-ˈlī-klē 

1

: not likely : improbable

an unlikely outcome

2

: likely to fail : unpromising

Synonyms

• doubtful
• dubious
• improbable
• questionable

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

Doing it with Stolarz and, for now, Cayden Primeau feels very unlikely. —Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Instead, multiple Chiefs missed a chance at a pick, and the Jaguars scored a touchdown after given the unlikely reprieve. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025

But the Daily Mail is reporting that Baugh has a boyfriend, and is unlikely to be the woman at the center of the Urban claims. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025

While it's become common practice for Congress to avert a shutdown at the last possible moment, that outcome appears increasingly unlikely. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unlikely

• likely

Kids 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