chances 1 of 2

plural of chance
1
2
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in probabilities
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

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

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 chances
Noun
To be sure, more frequent exams can increase the chances of false positives—a stressful experience that sometimes deters future screenings. Jennie Durant, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 However, a lingering injury kept him out for the next game, effectively ending any chances of him winning the backup job. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Having a significant injury at such a critical juncture of a player’s career can destroy their chances of making it as a first-team player. Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 However, the study shows that even if you’re vaccinated, reinfection poses a significant enough risk to double your chances of developing Long COVID compared to just getting it once. Alice Park, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 Rain chances continue Thursday and into Friday with clearer weather expected over the weekend. Enquirer Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025 Slightly cooler temperatures will return for Friday with limited rainfall chances. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025 As for today's weather forecast, storm chances will continue throughout the day, so keep the rain gear nearby. Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025 Naturally, Vergara spoke first, and enthusiastically, about Sanchez’s chances of winning the $1 million prize. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Rain chances return in KC’s forecast The weather system that has been keeping the metro so warm will finally move out, allowing a cold front to approach the region late Sunday into Monday morning. Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025 Cloudy, gray weather is expected to persist Thursday, even as the last of the rain chances for these two systems evaporate, Murdock said. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 But Denver bungled five — five — chances to extend their lead to two scores in the second half after taking resounding control of the game in the second half. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 Daily rain chances on the horizon An active weather patten is to thank and/or blame for the daily rain chances. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2025 However, chances the storm will form within the next 48 hours remain near zero. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Thunderstorms chances drop on Thursday through the weekend (chances at 5% or below). Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Storm chances increase throughout the week, with a possibility of heavy rain in some areas and a blowing dust advisory in effect for parts of Pinal County and southeast Phoenix. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
  • Hopefully, the 2026 WNBA season will consist of much better luck.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Chicago hitters hadn’t had much luck against San Diego starter Nick Pivetta’s high fastball, with just one hit and six strikeouts through four innings.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The puck needs to be on their stick as much as possible, with the new coach’s philosophies aimed at creating more opportunities to play fast, attack in transition and generate extra possessions.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But others, especially in the small modular reactor (SMR) field, are now making forays into the public market, creating new opportunities and risks for retail investors.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The map shows probabilities of at least 5 percent.
    William B. Davis, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Investors can either position themselves before the announcement based on previous probabilities or wait to take advantage of post-earnings movements in the days that follow.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This disparity is what has led many Black entrepreneurs to launch their own coffee ventures, making coffee more accessible to Black Detroiters and profitable for Black producers.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Making a U-turn, Akerlund ventures to Botswana on the southern tip of Africa to visit a tribe of metalheads who sport leather jackets and cowboy hats and roar around on motorcycles blasting Metallica.
    Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The American Journal of Managed Care reported that the initiative is expected to face legal challenges and could prove difficult to implement, with industry analysts warning that the plan risks acting as a blunt instrument rather than a workable solution.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Without proper padding and protection, your device risks scratches, dents, or worse, internal damage.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But let’s see what happens when Mississippi State takes its show on the road in a game of significance (sorry, Southern Miss).
    Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Under normal circumstances, he could be trusted to keep the Ravens afloat.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In these circumstances, pragmatism has merit.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Superman proved to fire off the new DC under chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran, while the original gambles that Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy have made at the larger Warner Bros Motion Picture Group with Sinners and F1, as well as new IP A Minecraft Movie, have been smashing successes.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
  • As awards season progresses, the success or failure of these strategic gambles will likely influence how future romantic dramas approach their campaigns, potentially reshaping decades of precedent in favor of more aggressive positioning strategies.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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