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
This funny tale of unlikely heroism can be enjoyed either as a read-aloud or as a confidence booster for newly independent readers.
—
Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Last year’s news-making escape has inspired an unlikely coalition of left-wing activists and MAGA loyalists that is demanding all lab animals be set free.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
If the Heat received its pick back — which ESPN front-officer insider Bobby Marks portrayed as unlikely — Miami would have all of its future first-round picks and immediately would be able to trade four of them (2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032 in one scenario).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Because Wisconsin lies on the western side of the Great Lakes, the state is unlikely to see significant lake-effect snow, unlike areas directly downwind such as western New York or Michigan.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Last year’s news-making escape has inspired an unlikely coalition of left-wing activists and MAGA loyalists that is demanding all lab animals be set free.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
If the Heat received its pick back — which ESPN front-officer insider Bobby Marks portrayed as unlikely — Miami would have all of its future first-round picks and immediately would be able to trade four of them (2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032 in one scenario).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Because Wisconsin lies on the western side of the Great Lakes, the state is unlikely to see significant lake-effect snow, unlike areas directly downwind such as western New York or Michigan.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 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 6 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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