as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Yet some downtown insiders believe Horton’s darkest days could be behind it, especially if an unlikely hero swoops in to save the day.
—
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
But the idea that legislators could make progress on this issue in the near-term seems unlikely given Democrats and Republicans are hurtling toward a federal government shutdown on Wednesday if the Senate can’t agree on a funding bill that gets 60 votes.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
But as the 2034 deadline approaches, the debate over whether Americans must work longer before claiming full benefits is unlikely to disappear.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Experts say freezing temperatures, extreme wind chill and a lack of oxygen make survival during long flights in wheel wells highly unlikely.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
But the idea that legislators could make progress on this issue in the near-term seems unlikely given Democrats and Republicans are hurtling toward a federal government shutdown on Wednesday if the Senate can’t agree on a funding bill that gets 60 votes.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
But as the 2034 deadline approaches, the debate over whether Americans must work longer before claiming full benefits is unlikely to disappear.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Experts say freezing temperatures, extreme wind chill and a lack of oxygen make survival during long flights in wheel wells highly unlikely.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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But some scholars are doubtful that’s routinely happening.—
Lauren Sausser,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Spring conducted two major studies that showed doubtful employers that Spring’s service worked—and could save them money.—
Alice Park,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps Musk didn’t care whether a dubious video accusing Disney World employees of being pedophiles was true.—
Jacob Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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When Kimberly and her family leave the New Jersey suburbs under dubious circumstances, Kimberly reevaluates her life while dealing with her hypochondriac mother, alcoholic father, scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and her first love.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Cardinals won an improbable World Series because Freese did those things.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The Cleveland Guardians completed their remarkable September surge on Saturday, clinching an improbable playoff berth after beating the Texas Rangers 3-2 on a walk-off hit by pitch.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After making his return Sunday from a two-week absence due to a toe injury, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be questionable to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams because of toe soreness, general manager John Lynch said Tuesday morning.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Everyone else on our team is questionable.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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