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
Paul Tudor Jones, Time, 25 June 2025
Cuomo called him to concede the primary, dimming the chance that the former governor would also run in November as an independent.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Tracy Brower, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Companies that fail to develop philosophical clarity around their AI initiatives risk leaving success to chance rather than design.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chance
Noun
Only months ago, Elon Musk stated that there was a 20% chance AI could wipe out humanity.
—Paul Tudor Jones, Time, 25 June 2025
Cuomo called him to concede the primary, dimming the chance that the former governor would also run in November as an independent.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
Organizations are wise to plan for an RTO approach that is clear and equitable, rather than leaving things to chance Because clarity on why people should come to the office--and guidelines on when, where and how--affect everything from attraction and retention to engagement and productivity.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Companies that fail to develop philosophical clarity around their AI initiatives risk leaving success to chance rather than design.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
-
Many of the common complaints with dating apps include just feeling like a number, a lack of luck in finding the right match, and fewer opportunities to meet a partner in real life.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
-
Those who wanted more choices would be out of luck.—
Andrew Yang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Wright’s two-way intelligence and skating speed popped off the ice for Seattle this season, and hinted strongly at the sort of difference-maker that Wright has an opportunity to develop into in the years to come.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Suddenly Flips More Women in Senior Leadership Starts With Breaking Barriers Ensuring more women have the opportunity to become CEOs begins with understanding why so few are promoted or hired into senior leadership roles.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
It is arbitrarily chosen to be the 67% historical probability threshold...—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
More Clive Rose/Getty Images Now, the Mercedes team boss has revealed ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session that the probability of Verstappen driving for Mercedes next year is very low, and that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will form the driver lineup for 2026.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
The venture passed onto Anderson’s father, Bob, in 1977.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
-
At times, the president’s lucrative exploits in private sector ventures have appeared to be wedded to political initiatives, such as his involvement in the crypto industry.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Most hot-car deaths are accidental Being stressed can increase your likelihood of memory lapses that lead to leaving your child in a car, according to a prominent cognitive neuroscience expert who has researched the function of memory in such tragedies.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
-
Her manner of death was determined to be accidental.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
There are also other areas of GDPR legislation that companies risk violating.—
John Readman,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The people working at the bodegas or stocking the grocery store shelves were literally risking their lives everyday.—
Maris Kreizman,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
These sound like science-fiction scenarios, but these were conversations that were happening quietly around dinner tables.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
22 June 2025
-
The compression of the NBA Finals, draft and free agency cycles into a two-week sip from the firehose unfortunately necessitates that moves like this happen now.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
The civil suit is not just about the circumstances that led to O’Keefe’s death.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
-
Sometimes, those decisions are made for you by circumstances that are outside your control.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share