How to Use likely in a Sentence

likely

1 of 2 adjective

• This looks like a likely spot for a picnic.
• They regard him as a likely candidate for the job.
• That seems to be the most likely explanation.
• Where are ticks most likely to bite?
  — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
• Schmidt is a likely first-round draft pick.
  — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
• Miller said the longer the case goes, the more likely things will not end well.
  — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
• And who is likely to be murdered next?
  — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
• At night, more snow likely with a low around 19.
  — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
• The rest of the season is likely to be a straight shootout.
  — Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
• Then the deals and ideas are likely to follow.
  — Michael Lanctot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
• Is heat death still the most likely option?
  — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
• Those numbers are likely to rise this year.
  — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 22 June 2026
• Over time, a toilet is likely to loosen from its hinges.
  — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026
• The district is likely to hire movers to help with the project.
  — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
• Nothing ahead is likely to be easy.
  — Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
• The likely reason isn’t hard to find.
  — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 4 May 2026
• Teemu's breeding days are likely not over.
  — ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
• What are the likely side effects?
  — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 2026
• Looking ahead, two trends seem likely.
  — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
• Some of that time was spent resting, and there was likely a round of golf or two.
  — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
• These people trust where the items came from and are more likely to put them to good use.
  — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
• Part of that is likely because of times when the infield is in.
  — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 May 2026
• The Fed has been on hold all year and looks likely to stay put for months to come.
  — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 July 2026
• The people who already trust you are the most likely to say yes.
  — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
• But few football fans seem likely to halt a game in mid-action.
  — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Dec. 2023
• This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
  — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
• This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
  — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
• This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
  — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
• This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
  — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 June 2026
• This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
  — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

likely

2 of 2 adverb

• He'll very likely be late.
• Most likely struck in the nose or mouth.
  — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
• But that will likely be a long slog.
  — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
• And the next protest likely won’t be the last.
  — Chad De Guzman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
• The Stars are likely gone as well.
  — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
• Now, some shows go through that in two episodes, though likely not this one.
  — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
• Betts likely won’t move back to that role, Roberts said.
  — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 29 June 2026
• But for now, the world is likely safe from mirror cells.
  — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
• That’s likely a resort fee at work.
  — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 19 May 2026
• Trump likely won't be able to use the stock to get a loan, either.
  — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024
• This will likely lead to rusting.
  — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
• This will likely lead to rusting.
  — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
• Instead, courts will likely weigh in.
  — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
• The two will likely compete for a spot on the roster.
  — Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
• Nishida will not likely hit many home runs in the major leagues.
  — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
• Few if any people could likely sue to challenge it.
  — Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
• If the board does not, the state will likely close the campus anyway.
  — Rachel Royster january 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
• That’s when Canales and Idzik will likely test him in crunch time.
  — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
• But keep in mind the team will likely search for ways to build in extra rest for their five starters.
  — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
• If approved, the project would likely be built in phases.
  — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
• But the northern suburb likely won’t be the last.
  — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
• Both leagues will likely need to keep pace as college sports’ own rules keep evolving.
  — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2025
• Monday’s game will likely not have the same drama.
  — Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
• This round will be likely be 20x higher.
  — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
• The females are likely looking for a prince.
  — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
• This year, that number will likely be higher.
  — Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
• Paintsil is sidelined with a thigh injury, which will likely keep him out for the rest of the month.
  — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
• The thicker part of the root will likely lay downward at an angle.
  — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
• Ogden likely won’t be doing any flips on skis in the coming days.
  — Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
• There is and likely always will be a place for college sports in this country.
  — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026