1
as in luck
the uncertain course of events
rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in probabilities
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another
the chance of being struck by lightning is very low
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in gambles
a risky undertaking
it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in risks
to take a chance on
I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in happens
to take place
there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chances
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
The loss to the Hawkeyes hurt those chances, but beating Ohio State, which is fighting to host the first two rounds of the tournament at home, is a step in the right direction.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Detainees at the black box sites, some of whom are seriously wounded, do not receive medical care, do not have access to proper toilet facilities and are not logged in official records, raising the chances of torture or even death, Aban said.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will slowly increase into the middle of next week, with Wednesday and Thursday looking to have the highest chance at 30%.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Simply getting older increases our chances of developing cancer, dementia, heart failure, and many other conditions.
—Andrew S. Brack, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will likely stay slim for next week, too.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Lake Mary had other chances in the first half, as well.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
But fans remain hopeful, especially as Team USA’s men’s hockey team — which has advanced to the knockout stage — prepares for a critical matchup today that could determine their medal chances.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Shane Hinton, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
After a warm and sunny weekend, chances for snow and wintry precipitation return Sunday and Monday.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026
The predominant weather pattern, consisting of high atmospheric pressure, low humidity and spring-like warmth, has kept any rain chances infrequent and short-lived.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
This race and the cross-country relay are in winter what the swimming and track relays are in the summer — chances to gain four years’ worth of massive national bragging rights in heated rivalries.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Storm chances return next week Overall, the elevated wildfire risk is expected to be short-lived.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
The weather service reports that chances for snow, sleet and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
The loss to the Hawkeyes hurt those chances, but beating Ohio State, which is fighting to host the first two rounds of the tournament at home, is a step in the right direction.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Detainees at the black box sites, some of whom are seriously wounded, do not receive medical care, do not have access to proper toilet facilities and are not logged in official records, raising the chances of torture or even death, Aban said.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will slowly increase into the middle of next week, with Wednesday and Thursday looking to have the highest chance at 30%.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Simply getting older increases our chances of developing cancer, dementia, heart failure, and many other conditions.
—Andrew S. Brack, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will likely stay slim for next week, too.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Lake Mary had other chances in the first half, as well.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
But fans remain hopeful, especially as Team USA’s men’s hockey team — which has advanced to the knockout stage — prepares for a critical matchup today that could determine their medal chances.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Rain chances trend higher over the weekend ahead of an incoming cold front.
—Shane Hinton, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
After a warm and sunny weekend, chances for snow and wintry precipitation return Sunday and Monday.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026
The predominant weather pattern, consisting of high atmospheric pressure, low humidity and spring-like warmth, has kept any rain chances infrequent and short-lived.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
This race and the cross-country relay are in winter what the swimming and track relays are in the summer — chances to gain four years’ worth of massive national bragging rights in heated rivalries.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Storm chances return next week Overall, the elevated wildfire risk is expected to be short-lived.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
The weather service reports that chances for snow, sleet and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
So far, though, astronomers haven't had much luck finding any such line.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But many people who bought travel insurance as a financial backstop to protect against such travel disruptions may be out of luck.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Events in Iran also present China with several structural opportunities, said Zhu Zhaoyi, director of the Middle East Institute at the Peking University HSBC Business School.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Having identified growth opportunities that are better aligned with Lee’s refreshed marketing and opportunities to optimize distribution in Europe and Asia, the exec said Lee is positioned for a return to revenue growth in the second half of 2026.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At a time when Disney is facing major disruption, such gambles may be just what the company needs.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Second-round picks always have been relative gambles and have only lost value in recent years as fewer players declare for each draft.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some risks greater than 2022 Although the market is currently betting against a scenario that could mimic the 2022 oil and gasoline price shock, prices could still surge.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Observers have noted that this organization is prone to fragmentation, which risks further violence.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And because Mary Lavin is working with the short story rather than the novel, what happens in her fiction must have the noise of delicacy and then a fierce or piercing after-effect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, statement handbags, oversized sunglasses, and bold accessories grab attention–but the magic often happens in the details most people overlook.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unusual circumstances in the inning as Binderup blasted a shot back at the pitcher, and the ball got caught in the pitcher's jersey.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Leighty declined to provide further details about the mariner and the circumstances of their death, citing the ongoing investigation.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brees, who regularly attends Padres games and participates in marketing for Vuori, has invested in professional flag football, pickleball and other athletic ventures.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The money, speed and urgency with which Musk and other tech leaders are pursuing the ventures didn’t give communities in Southaven much time to push back over noise and health concerns.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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