chance 1 of 3

Definition of chancenext
1
2
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in probability
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 venture
a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chance

2 of 3

adjective

chance

3 of 3

verb

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 chance
Noun
Google Rain chances should climb in the days following the election, with a 50% chance of showers and storms Wednesday and a 40% chance Thursday. Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026 After that, a shift in the weather pattern is expected, including a solid chance at rain and thunderstorms by midweek. Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Pascal Jansen has the team playing attractive, winning soccer, Nico Fernández Mercau is a best XI-caliber player, while Maxi Moralez is a warm blanket of familiarity, chance creation and lovable nonsense. Tom Bogert, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026 But in California politics, institutions rarely leave outcomes to chance. Jon Fleischman, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
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
  • Know More The House war powers vote on Thursday is the most urgent opportunity for Democrats to try to unite against the war, even as the ongoing split persists about how to talk about it.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The director, whose father is deaf, also saw this project as an opportunity to connect with the Deaf community.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The biggest threat to the global economy and US stocks is an oil supply disruption, but the probability of a prolonged effect is low so far, analysts said.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
  • When a leader sees a PowerPoint briefing that shows over 90% probability of destroying that target, that creates the illusion of control.
    Richard Hall, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Owners David, a pharmacist, and Ryan, a counselor, began restoring historic homes out of personal passion before turning their knack for curation into a hospitality venture.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
  • July 23 – August 22 Private ventures may be about to demand a little extra courage.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That emphasis on independence is not accidental.
    K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Bud can’t make a joke to his daughters without accidental gender essentialism.
    Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Don't risk contaminating the soil, starting a fire, or worse to remove a stump.
    Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Families and community advocates said the proposals risk disproportionately impacting Black and Latino students, focusing largely on downtown campuses while leaving many suburban schools in Almaden Valley untouched.
    Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Mickey Drexler doesn’t like to wait for things to happen.
    Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
  • In Chechnya, only the first step happened, which was predictable.
    Robert A. Pape In The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
  • True love lies in the middle — neither one creates the circumstances for romance to bloom.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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