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.
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Recent Examples of chance
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
The Kings had played four straight games decided in overtime or a shootout, setting an NHL single-season record for games going past regulation along the way, but Moore ensured there would be no chance of extra hockey with his goal midway through the third period.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Rain chances return by midweek, beginning late Tuesday.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Noun
Butterfly bush sends up long flower spikes that draw both hummingbirds and bees, offering kids a chance to compare how different pollinators feed.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
The Kings had played four straight games decided in overtime or a shootout, setting an NHL single-season record for games going past regulation along the way, but Moore ensured there would be no chance of extra hockey with his goal midway through the third period.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
By Wednesday, rain chances increase to about 70%, with a high near 65 and a low around 48.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Rain chances return by midweek, beginning late Tuesday.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
-
And if the basketball gods were just, the Warriors would be provided a play-in loss — Wednesday or Friday, either will do — and lottery luck.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Rory McIlroy faded his tee shot into the pine straw, forcing a dramatic finish for his second consecutive Masters title, a final round that saw the Northern Irish golfer press his luck on the final few holes.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shifting the Hornets’ mentality Charlotte heads into the final weekend of the 2025-26 regular-season calendar, semi ahead of schedule with an opportunity to make some noise in the postseason for the first time in a decade.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Strategic opportunity, legal risk Environmental groups say the risks extend beyond criminal financing to broader ecological destruction if foreign investment accelerates extraction.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 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
-
What the Pentagon Papers revealed is that the American government had reason to know all along that the venture was ill-fated.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
At least one member of BTS wondered if the solo ventures might change the group dynamic.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later attributed his death to an accidental overdose of ketamine, a hallucinogenic anesthetic that in recent years gained popularity as an off-label, unrelated treatment for depression.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
-
His cause of death was later confirmed as an accidental overdose due to cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines and fentanyl.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The judge tossed conspiracy, attempted murder and risking a catastrophe counts.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
For decades, our parents risked everything so their children could get the education they were denied.—
Sediqa Fahimi,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What happens next Authorities emphasize that the charges are allegations, and Mance is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Spiegel asked to speak to Mengele and alert him of what was happening — a risky decision that saved the boys from death.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two people died last week in similar circumstances off the coast north of Calais.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Given these circumstances, most of the music written for mandolin (eighty-five volumes were published in Paris between 1761 and 1783) was intended for amateurs, often women.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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