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
Once the countdown ends, users are shown detailed, text-heavy outlooks — including conditions, storm chances, wind speeds and temperatures — presented in bold gradient panels and block-style fonts. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 After a long winter with your feet stuffed into thick socks and boots, warm weather offers the chance to air them out with the perfect pair of sandals. Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Rain chances return by midweek, beginning late Tuesday. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026 Rain chances in the Miami area are 20% Friday and Saturday, building to 30% Saturday night. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • In recent months, Enrique Torres, an undergraduate student at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina, has submitted about two dozen applications for an internship, with no luck.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
  • With better injury luck and tweaks on defense, a return to form next season is a good bet.
    Greg Cote April 6, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The rapid proliferation of art biennials in the ’90s gave them plenty of opportunities and reflected a world reorganizing itself after the Cold War.
    Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But while the civil court found the war crimes allegations were mostly proven on a balance of probabilities, the war crime murder charges would have to be proved in a criminal court to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The possibility—the probability—of conflagration is on every Western mind.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • OpenAI was on the verge of closing a large investment from Thrive, a venture-capital firm founded by Josh Kushner, Jared Kushner’s brother, whom Altman had known for years.
    Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Fragrance launches used to be a strictly celebrity venture in the early aughts—but in 2026, everyone is getting into the scent game.
    Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The latest data leak is potentially more damaging to Anthropic than the earlier accidental exposure of the company’s draft blog post about its forthcoming model.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Each accidental catch potentially removes an animal that was alive before the Industrial Revolution.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Attempts to resolve ecological responsibility through strict localism often risk sliding into cultural provincialism or nationalist enclosure—fantasies of purity that ignore how deeply entangled our lives already are.
    Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs and risk tolerance before making a decision.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The trial, with testimony livestreamed by Court TV, has aired the couple's marital problems leading up to the hike, along with their versions of what happened on the trail.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The last 5-6-4-3 double play in the majors happened in 1995.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At a time when festivals like Sol Blume, Goldensky and Breakaway have been cancelled or postponed, citing costs or unforeseen circumstances, Channel 24 credits the Sacramento community as the key to their success.
    Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Her engaging novels feature memorable characters facing unique and complex circumstances, often against a backdrop of historical significance.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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