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
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Recent Examples of chance
Davis Giangiulio,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 May 2026
His solid play in the outfield gives him a real chance to play in the bigs within the next three years.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The way Billy wrote it, there’s a better than even chance this might be it.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Noun
While the vote is a setback for the oral breast cancer treatment, the panelists' comments leave a chance for the drug to be used for other programs.
—Davis Giangiulio,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 May 2026
His solid play in the outfield gives him a real chance to play in the bigs within the next three years.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Verb
While rain chances linger and skies may stay mostly cloudy, temperatures will rebound into the mid-70s.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The way Billy wrote it, there’s a better than even chance this might be it.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
-
This was another fates-or-hobgoblins turn of events, but many Americans took that profound luck as their rightful due.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
In a heartbreaking 2-1 loss, the Lightning outplayed the Canadiens in every way except puck luck.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What once felt like an opportunity to close has become something closer to a necessity.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Personalized treatments could help the field move beyond symptom suppression and toward functional remission, optimizing the probability of therapeutic success and eventually evolving into improved prevention.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than acting as a traditional consulting firm, the venture — which hasn’t yet been named — will embed engineers inside companies to redesign workflows and integrate AI into core processes, Nachmann said.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
-
Kicking off Deadline’s Reality TV Summit on Friday, Cohen sat down to discuss his various ventures, dished on potential new Housewives series and talked up his love of game shows.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What was supposed to be a solidarity visit to Caribbean nations by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has instead ignited a diplomatic row that risks widening divisions within the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc known as CARICOM.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If entry-level roles are compressed too aggressively, firms risk weakening their own talent pipelines.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officials are still trying to determine what happened aboard the ship, which commands fares of up to $28,845 for a 46-day journey that includes a tour of the Antarctica Peninsula and stops in Tierra del Fuego on the southern edge of Argentina.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Voters who won the case wanted the transfer to happen without the waiting period to grant more time for new maps to be drawn.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Recent polling suggests that roughly 30% of young Americans hold the view that political violence can be justified in certain circumstances.—
Andrew Cuomo,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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