as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unlikely
The Supreme Court looks unlikely to place limits on birthright citizenship.
—
Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Alas, the former seems unlikely.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The forward is unlikely to grow into a hulking frame.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The test is not intended for women without symptoms and is unlikely to become a standard screening test for all women.
—Dr. Chidimma J. Acholonu, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Alas, the former seems unlikely.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The forward is unlikely to grow into a hulking frame.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The test is not intended for women without symptoms and is unlikely to become a standard screening test for all women.
—Dr. Chidimma J. Acholonu, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
-
Jan Oblak is also doubtful with a hip problem, while Marcos Llorente is suspended and Johnny Cardoso is injured.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Ducks were without leading scorer Cutter Gauthier (doubtful for Tuesday), rugged captain Radko Gudas (doubtful), active blue-liner Pavel Mintyukov (probable), grinder Jansen Harkins (out) and enforcer Ross Johnston (out) when they were stampeded on Saturday by the Calgary Flames.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After being handed a fake car from a dubious contest, Castillo filed a real lawsuit against the station for $60,000.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The price of gasoline in June 2022 wins that dubious distinction.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Towns was downgraded to questionable Friday morning, shot around ahead of tipoff against Chicago, then grimaced and grabbed at his arm before leaving the floor and being ruled out for the night with a right elbow impingement.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Veteran guard Marcus Smart was officially ruled out for the Dallas game on Saturday – his seventh consecutive game missed – while forward Jarred Vanderbilt was added to the injury report as questionable with right calf soreness.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Frank often mocked Gus’s improbable revelations, as when Gus swore a saint had appeared to him through his bedroom curtains one night.—
David Mcgrath,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For that to happen, however, the Knicks would need to win four of their final games — not impossible, but improbable — and the Celtics, winners of eight of their last 10 games, would need to lose four of their final six.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
