unlikelihood
noun
un·like·li·hood
ˌən-ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
1
: improbability
Given the unlikelihood of increased funding, the program will close down next month.
2
: something unlikely
Increased funding is an unlikelihood.
Examples of unlikelihood in a Sentence
Given the unlikelihood of a tax increase, these programs will probably run out of funding next year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Appelhans, Kang’s co-director, agreed about the unlikelihood of a live-action version.
—
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Details matter, unlikelihoods abound, but if Trump can pull this off, that would be a huge accomplishment.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite the unlikelihood that Hurricane Erin is edging sharks closer to shore, National Weather Service meteorologists said people living along the East Coast, particularly North Carolina, can expect the storm's impacts to continue through the remainder of the week.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The increasing unlikelihood that the ultralow borrowing rates of the 2010s will come back any time soon has made the situation all the more dangerous.
—Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikelihood
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Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Details matter, unlikelihoods abound, but if Trump can pull this off, that would be a huge accomplishment.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite the unlikelihood that Hurricane Erin is edging sharks closer to shore, National Weather Service meteorologists said people living along the East Coast, particularly North Carolina, can expect the storm's impacts to continue through the remainder of the week.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The increasing unlikelihood that the ultralow borrowing rates of the 2010s will come back any time soon has made the situation all the more dangerous.
—Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikelihood
Cite this Entry
“Unlikelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikelihood. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlikelihood
noun
un·like·li·hood
ˌən-ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
ˈən-
: the quality or state of being unlikely
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