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
Thought the offensive rebounding really broke us in the second half, broke the game open for them and then the second-chance threes kind of put it over the top. Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026 Miami outrebounded Missouri 46-30, 16-7 on the offensive end, outscored the Tigers 19-2 in second-chance points, and went to the free throw line 29 times. Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
After a night of severe storms, Louisville will see winter weather return with cold temperatures and snow chances March 16, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Mar. 2026 Walker has three years of starting experience on the blind side, so the Panthers are leaving little to chance at a premium position. Mike Kaye updated March 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • Good news — your luck is about to change!
    Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • He was rewarded for his labor with a handshake, good-luck wishes and a severance package.
    Mark Davis, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The two male offenders stood with their parents and attorneys and were given the opportunity to speak at the beginning and end, but both declined.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Riboua believes Israel could go even further than the Litani River, viewing now as its opportunity to rid itself of Hezbollah for good.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The mayor, one of eight prominent Democrats in the race, has often been the candidate with the second-highest probability after Swalwell.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Theresia Gouw, the proven and successful venture capitalist who is part of consortium that holds a minority stake in the Buffalo Bills and the Golden State Warriors, is joining the lineup of speakers for Sportico‘s Invest West conference on May 6 in San Francisco.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The venture fund’s first close is within the next month.
    Ben Weiss, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Garland died in 1969, of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but the tragedy did not hamper Minnelli’s ascent.
    Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • An accidental house fire displaced seven people, including one child, early Wednesday in south Fort Worth.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No one wants to be a part of history that risks omitting obvious stellar choices like Cunningham, Wembanyama and Edwards from recognition.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The upcoming April 7 vote over the renewal of Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will mark one of the biggest tests of whether that opposition could risk ensnaring a critical resource for the city.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • What happened in podcasting is that money arrived, and some of it went into producing video clips.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
  • What happens when a movement built on peace sets off a chain of events that leaves a region fluent only in the language of violence?
    Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As a result, his cell was never considered a possible crime scene that would, under normal circumstances, be examined by experienced criminal and forensic experts who would take fingerprints, blood samples and other evidence.
    Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • While starter home districts would circumvent communities’ larger lot restrictions, that very fact would seem to generally restrict their voluntary adoption in those circumstances.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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