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 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
as in gambles
a risky undertaking
it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in risks
to take a chance on
I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in happens
to take place
there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chances
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
However, markets peg the chances of a quarter-point rate increase by the end of the year at more than one in three, well above where odds of a rate hike stood prior to the war, the tool shows.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 May 2026
Rain and storm chances are increasing in the afternoon.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Looking ahead to Friday and into the weekend, rain chances have decreased.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 May 2026
So the chances of catching anyone with symptoms at the time of screening are actually very low.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above-normal temperatures for early June, along with equal chances for wetter or drier conditions.
—Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
The timing of the storms is late afternoon into the evening and overnight, with the best chances coming after sunset.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Just two months ago, in March, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization estimated that the chances of an El Niño return in May through July were about 40 percent.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
Snow chances For the entire event and across all of New England, the precipitation will be falling as snow out of the clouds.
—Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Looking ahead, Friday is still expected to be rain-free but chances increase on Saturday and Sunday.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Given his Game 1 heroics, having him out there might have made the Sabres’ slim comeback chances slightly better.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
Palace were fortunate that Rayo failed to convert two good first-half chances.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
However, markets peg the chances of a quarter-point rate increase by the end of the year at more than one in three, well above where odds of a rate hike stood prior to the war, the tool shows.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 May 2026
Rain and storm chances are increasing in the afternoon.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Looking ahead to Friday and into the weekend, rain chances have decreased.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 May 2026
So the chances of catching anyone with symptoms at the time of screening are actually very low.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above-normal temperatures for early June, along with equal chances for wetter or drier conditions.
—Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026
The timing of the storms is late afternoon into the evening and overnight, with the best chances coming after sunset.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Just two months ago, in March, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization estimated that the chances of an El Niño return in May through July were about 40 percent.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Verb
Rain chances ramp up as temperatures warm in the afternoon and a storm system makes its way further north.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
Snow chances For the entire event and across all of New England, the precipitation will be falling as snow out of the clouds.
—Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Looking ahead, Friday is still expected to be rain-free but chances increase on Saturday and Sunday.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Given his Game 1 heroics, having him out there might have made the Sabres’ slim comeback chances slightly better.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and, of course, do keep in touch.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
Jupiter will eventually return to your sign for the first time since 2014, kicking off a major season of luck, growth and expansion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Closer Raisel Iglesias earned his 11th save in as many opportunities despite allowing two singles in the ninth.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
-
Various outings by boat offer opportunities to explore the island or try different water sports (advance reservations required).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Goldman listed the probabilities of advancement for all 48 nations, including a spot in the Round of 16 for host countries Canada (50%), Mexico (68%) and the United States (39%).—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
-
Many users treat it as an information product, using it to track probabilities rather than place bets.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
For the first four games, the extensive gambles taken by the front office — not just this season but for years — seemed to be paying off in a surprising 3-1 road trip.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Most of his big gambles, on things such as the MGM studio and library, which led to the creation of the Turner Classic Movies channel, paid off handsomely.—
Michael J. Socolow,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The dose also matters, meaning someone with alpha-gal risks a bigger reaction by eating a large amount of red meat.—
Eva Flowe
May 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, the property is a best-case example of the magic that happens when old meets new.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
And unlike in-person voting, where verification happens upfront, mail-in ballots must be inspected and have signatures verified.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Once they’re settled (or at least as settled as they can be given the circumstances), Rich’s show begins.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
The real lottery win stems directly from the unique circumstances of his roster journey during the 2025-26 campaign.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The settlement agreement stated that NCA received all $23 million in exchange for its interests in the joint ventures.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Epstein also discussed business ventures with Francisco D’Agostino, an influential Venezuelan businessman who has relationships with both the Nicolás Maduro regime and the country’s opposition.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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