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
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed. Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026 But as a good time for young fans of the book replete with the chance to throw things? Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The question is whether Hollywood will learn from this pattern or leave these kinds of deep collaborations to chance rather than cultivating them over time, intentionally. Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 After midnight, rain chances ramp up to about 40% amid increasing clouds. Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • Many would give the shirt off their back to have your luck in men.
    Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In the first five minutes, Leeds had several moments of threat down their left side, with Abbott actually doing well — albeit armed with a big chunk of luck — to deflect a Gabriel Gudmundsson cross over his own bar.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This orbit allowed the spacecraft to pass behind Jupiter relative to Earth, creating a rare opportunity to study how the planet’s atmosphere bends radio signals.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • China is seizing an opportunity to challenge American dominance in global finance and exert greater international influence at the expense of the all-powerful US dollar.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This year Kalshi has seen more than $150 million in volume on its Super Bowl LX winner market, with users pinning the probability of a Seattle Seahawks win over the New England Patriots at 68%.
    A.J. Perez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
  • However, this interjection increases the probability of overlapping or even conflicting instructions to vendors.
    Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Palantir and PayPal, appeared in the Epstein files, with the latest release showing correspondence between and about the two.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This new venture continues their mission of getting movies in front of the people who most want to see them.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Earle died in August 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, from an accidental overdose.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Racial categories in this country were not accidental.
    Rosalind Osgood, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The mayor warned the federal presence risks unraveling years of investment in community policing and alternative response approaches, saying that work has helped drive crime down and improve relationships.
    Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
    Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There is no shortage of debate happening in our modern world, including about issues that ignite our passions.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Ronaldo’s only goals at the tournament came in these circumstances.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The morning show’s array of hosts often refer to one another as a family in regular circumstances, a bond that has only been emphasized in NBC’s coverage of Nancy Guthrie’s case.
    Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

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