unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
Synonyms
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
Trump has emerged as an unlikely spiritual figurehead as a political leader, experts told USA TODAY, fusing faith and politics at a level never seen before.
—
Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024
Taurus April 20 – May 20 A confidant might emerge from an unlikely place.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2024
Kehler assured the committee that the process for ordering a nuclear strike has guardrails sufficient to make such an outcome extremely unlikely.
—Andrew Turley, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2024
Lyonne stars in every episode as Charlie Cale, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress who has been on the run since the premiere and makes weekly pit-stops to solve murders, establishing herself as the show’s unlikely detective who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024
Taurus April 20 – May 20 A confidant might emerge from an unlikely place.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2024
Kehler assured the committee that the process for ordering a nuclear strike has guardrails sufficient to make such an outcome extremely unlikely.
—Andrew Turley, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2024
Lyonne stars in every episode as Charlie Cale, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress who has been on the run since the premiere and makes weekly pit-stops to solve murders, establishing herself as the show’s unlikely detective who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlikely
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unlikely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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