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 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
as in accidental
happening by chance
a chance advantage that I immediately recognized and made full use of
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to risk
to take a chance on
I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to happen
to take place
there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Forecasters said winds are expected to peak Sunday, when there is a 65% to 95% chance that gusts will exceed 40 mph.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Brent Lang, Variety, 11 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Noun
Ryan McLeod and Konsta Helenius both got a chance to skate with Thompson and Tuch.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Forecasters said winds are expected to peak Sunday, when there is a 65% to 95% chance that gusts will exceed 40 mph.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
Neon, which has won the Palme d’Or for a record-breaking six consecutive times, is leaving little to chance.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
-
The bottom line Getting more eyes on your job listing isn't about luck or waiting for the right candidate to stumble across your post.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
The other says luck, crush and confusion.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Many see Jordan as a way station to permanent resettlement in Canada, the United States, or Europe, where the economic opportunities are better.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
This role gives him the opportunity to explore different departments before eventually committing to a specialty.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Eurasia Group on Monday evening raised the probability of Starmer being ousted this year to 80%, up from 65% previously.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
Each discuss significant areas of disturbed weather and the potential for development over the next seven days, including the probability of tropical cyclone formation.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The project is also a big venture for Blink49 Studios, the banner founded in 2021 by international TV veteran Morayniss, an alum of Entertainment One and Alliance Atlantis.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
The donors are a who’s who of tech leaders, venture capitalists and other leaders in the gig, gaming, digital media and AI defense fields.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
The sturdy, durable case offers a water-resistant fabric, which is great for accidental coffee spills amid the airport security line.—
Sarah DiMuro,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his death to an accidental ketamine overdose and said drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine — used to treat opioid use disorder — were factors.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Overall, Kalshi’s app and website bettors risked about $800 million creating custom multi-leg wagers during the first four months of this year.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2026
-
To be an athlete is to prove yourself constantly, to always be risking your ego and your body.—
Jade Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
Last July, when Colbert announced the end of the Late Show franchise on CBS, many wondered what happens when shows that function as cultural town squares begin to disappear?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The argument for keeping an underperforming manager tends to centre on whether there were enough mitigating circumstances behind a bad season, and whether the club can use their summer to make the correct changes in player recruitment and wider infrastructure to fix things.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Each time, the circumstances of the test change.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
