unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
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
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game is much mythologized in NBA lore, but his extremely unlikely performance at the foul line that night isn’t recognized often.
—
Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Defeat to the Netherlands would eliminate them (unless Wales were to beat France, leaving England praying for an unlikely 9-3-3-3 group and scraping through in second, which simply isn’t going to happen).
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Nutrient deficiencies are unlikely to cause leaf browning, so fertilizer is not the answer to brown leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Defeat to the Netherlands would eliminate them (unless Wales were to beat France, leaving England praying for an unlikely 9-3-3-3 group and scraping through in second, which simply isn’t going to happen).
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Nutrient deficiencies are unlikely to cause leaf browning, so fertilizer is not the answer to brown leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 July 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 18 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share