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
The puck slid to Mikko Rantanen, who immediately ripped a wrist shot past Canada goalie Jordan Binnington, who never really stood a chance. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026 That likely means that businesses will have to fight tooth and nail for any chance at a refund — even though the government keeps meticulous records of all tariff payments. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Many New Yorkers will delay trips rather than chance this stretch during storms. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026 The weather service reports that chances for snow, sleet and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day. Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • The Hurricanes’ close-game luck ran out on Saturday.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
  • That segment was a combination of being in the right place at the right time, luck, smarts, and most of it was shot on my iPhone.
    Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And, conversely, what new opportunities are emerging for Israel’s creative growth?
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • When federal policy creates an opportunity to bring additional resources into a state’s education ecosystem, leaders would be foolish to ignore it.
    Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Prior to Wednesday, speculators had been fairly balanced in their view of whether a 25-basis-point cut would come at the FOMC’s next meeting in March, giving it a probability of around 40%, per CME’s FedWatch barometer.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Like many of its peers, Windey began its global venture close to home, bagging major orders in Vietnam and Kazakhstan in 2019.
    Xiaoying You, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
  • But before cameras venture into the room with the patient, Dana gives recent nursing school graduate Emma (Laëtitia Hollard) — and the audience — an overview.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Dressed in his all-white tuxedo and matching skates, camera operator Jordan Cowan has become an accidental star at this year’s Olympic figure skating events in Milan.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Several parents of children who died by suicide or accidental harm linked to online trends are expected to attend the proceedings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Colbert has little to risk by publicly taking on CBS management as his program is ending in May.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The violence captured on cellphone videos and shared around the globe – buses burning, gas stations attacked, military helicopters flying overhead – wasn’t just happening in remote rural towns long plagued by drug violence.
    Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The food and drink As with most of the smaller Parisian hotels, all the food and drink action happens in the same place—the property’s entrance is designed to be a comfortable lounge, bar, and breakfast area.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Last week, Andrew spent his first birthday as a commoner in circumstances as degraded as earlier celebrations had been grand.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Banchero must evolve from emerging star into nightly force, independent of circumstances.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on chance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster