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
The move marks a departure from past administrations, which have typically moved quickly to open Justice Department civil rights reviews of fatal encounters involving law enforcement, even when criminal charges were considered unlikely.
—
Greg Wehner , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Oval Office’s plan to force the Fed into submission is unlikely to work, Wall Street believes.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Lately, several of the videos have come from the Indiana football program and Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has gone viral a number of times for his candid humility and insight during the Hoosiers’ unlikely run to the College Football Playoff national championship.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Tasting menus are another unlikely trend given the eroding demand for fine dining.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Greg Wehner , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Oval Office’s plan to force the Fed into submission is unlikely to work, Wall Street believes.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Lately, several of the videos have come from the Indiana football program and Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has gone viral a number of times for his candid humility and insight during the Hoosiers’ unlikely run to the College Football Playoff national championship.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Tasting menus are another unlikely trend given the eroding demand for fine dining.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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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