unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
an unlikely place to see much wildlife
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
Key Democrats believe a deal with Republicans on the enhanced premium tax credits, whose expiration will raise some health insurance premiums, is unlikely.
—
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Forecasters say the winds, which will be strongest east of Interstate 15, are unlikely to start and spread wildfires because of the heavy rain the region has received this month.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
This September, in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Science, more than 40 experts in climate change, polar geosciences, and ocean patterns warned that geoengineering was extremely unlikely to work and likely to have dangerous consequences.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Without knowing about the deaths, the supervisors and the council members unlikely will propose changes to any shelter policies to prevent more deaths.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Forecasters say the winds, which will be strongest east of Interstate 15, are unlikely to start and spread wildfires because of the heavy rain the region has received this month.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
This September, in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Science, more than 40 experts in climate change, polar geosciences, and ocean patterns warned that geoengineering was extremely unlikely to work and likely to have dangerous consequences.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Without knowing about the deaths, the supervisors and the council members unlikely will propose changes to any shelter policies to prevent more deaths.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 Nov. 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 27 Nov. 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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