chance 1 of 3

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
Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 This process is highly disruptive to the roots and decreases the chance of the plant surviving the winter indoors. Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
The festival holds a Conservation Village on site for educational and service-based activations like a virtual shark dive, a trash-drop-off site in exchange for potential prizes, and chances to learn about eco-friendly brands. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025 There's some decent rain chances the rest of the week, so keep an umbrella handy. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The team dealt with some tough injury luck and never got on a roll.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For years, younger generations have flocked to big cities for better job opportunities, leaving a dwindling elderly population in rural villages.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Instead of pursuing chances to pitch reboots of Hollywood’s most beloved properties, scraping the bottom of the barrel might afford you more opportunities to make films that truly feel your own.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • This has always been about embracing probabilities, not the luxury of following certainties.
    Sam McDowell November 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Playboy is, of course, the media, lifestyle, consumer products and licensing brand founded by Hugh Hefner, while Hefner Capital is a private investment firm focused on media, entertainment and cultural ventures steered by his son, Cooper Hefner.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Covent Garden is the first stand-alone store to reopen as part of the joint venture between Gap and Next, and spans 3,250 square feet across two floors.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Denim’s workwear roots laid the foundation for Iron Shop Provisions founder Josh Guillory’s accidental journey into denim retail and design.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The manner of death was listed as accidental.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • While many members of the British military have risked their lives and died in battle, there have also been lives lost at the hands of those same forces.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • When this happens, visibilities frequently drop to one-quarter of a mile or less.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In the filing, the group alleges that Wisconsin law doesn't allow officers to make civil arrests except in certain circumstances that do not apply to civil immigration enforcement.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Fort Worth police plan an investigation to collect and review the facts and the circumstances of the case.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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