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
1
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
chanced upon my archenemy as I rounded a corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
I chanced upon your mother in the grocery store yesterday
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Everyone has a chance to join Team Ocean — which can mean taking part in beach cleanups, educating yourself and others about the ocean or taking part in local sustainability efforts.
—Jenna Dipaolo, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Sal Visca, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The Venezuelans are being held at the maximum-security gang prison with little prospect of any due process or chance to contest their imprisonment.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chance
Noun
Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm:
To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Everyone has a chance to join Team Ocean — which can mean taking part in beach cleanups, educating yourself and others about the ocean or taking part in local sustainability efforts.
—Jenna Dipaolo, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Verb
Establishing Responsibility Rather than leave situations to chance and potentially open themselves up to fines or penalties, tax organizations should put definite rules in place regarding their use of GenAI in tax procedures.
—Sal Visca, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The Venezuelans are being held at the maximum-security gang prison with little prospect of any due process or chance to contest their imprisonment.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
-
The lottery luck keeps coming for Southern California, which now boasts two of the four Powerball jackpot winners this year.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
Figuring out the right price for goods has long been a moving target, that used to come down to best guesses and luck trying to perfectly match supply with demand.—
Kathleen Walch,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
So, to see things come to fruition, like a house ambassador at the LV, walking in the shows, and just all the things that opportunity can afford you.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
-
Seth Rollins and Naomi won their respective matches and can cash-in an opportunity for a WWE championship any time and any place.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 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,
4 June 2025
-
The probability of moving was also found to nearly triple in the wake of divorce with families relocating to neighborhoods with lower incomes.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Getty Images The European startup scene was recently shaken by a LinkedIn debate with some venture capitalists applying pressure on founders to embrace a culture of overwork to compete on a global stage.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
8 June 2025
-
But, to say nothing of family ties, what’s an employee-employer relationship in a venture without revenue?—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The trauma Miami Dolphins fans experience isn’t accidental.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
-
The difference in these teams after this opening act — 80 minutes of often great, mostly white-knuckled hockey — was an accidental flip of the puck out of play for a two-minute penalty near the end of overtime.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Arbitration ordinarily arises in circumstances where the parties are in an employment or consumer relationship.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
-
The pooch, who got a new lease on life after he was rescued from dire circumstances, became social media famous after Klee documented his journey on TikTok, with some of the videos garnering millions of views.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The gamble on Cava is Shaich’s most lucrative to date.—
Jemima McEvoy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
In Pascal’s case, the Emmy campaign represents either an audacious strategy or a significant gamble.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
-
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share