as in probability
the quality or state of being likely to occur
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
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Recent Examples of likelihood
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
All of these factors are crystallizing into a greater likelihood of a recession.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Officials warned that damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, making travel difficult—especially for high‑profile vehicles—and increasing the likelihood of extended outages.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Rain is likely on Friday, April 3, with the likelihood of precipitation decreasing after Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
All of these factors are crystallizing into a greater likelihood of a recession.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Officials warned that damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, making travel difficult—especially for high‑profile vehicles—and increasing the likelihood of extended outages.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Rain is likely on Friday, April 3, with the likelihood of precipitation decreasing after Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
-
But while the civil court found the war crimes allegations were mostly proven on a balance of probabilities, the war crime murder charges would have to be proved in a criminal court to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The possibility—the probability—of conflagration is on every Western mind.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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