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
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
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
An unsettled weather pattern is expected to take hold and linger through the middle of next week, bringing chances of daily thunderstorms, some of which could turn strong to severe, with pockets of locally heavy rainfall.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Homebuyers should know which mistakes to protect themselves from to improve their chances of borrowing success this March.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Despite suffering two gut-wrenching home losses in a row, UCF basketball isn’t quite ready to hit the panic button regarding its NCAA Tournament chances.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Simply getting older increases our chances of developing cancer, dementia, heart failure, and many other conditions.
—Andrew S. Brack, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will likely stay slim for next week, too.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hours before, attendees were optimistic about the state representatives chances to take on November’s Republican nominee.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be dry, and then rain chances ramp up again Friday and will continue through the weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
This training camp gives him more exposure to the major-league coaching staff and chances to impress in the Cactus League.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
After a warm and sunny weekend, chances for snow and wintry precipitation return overnight Sunday into Monday, forecasters say.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
The predominant weather pattern, consisting of high atmospheric pressure, low humidity and spring-like warmth, has kept any rain chances infrequent and short-lived.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Panthers gave up five grade-A chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and Bobrovsky held up.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
An unsettled weather pattern is expected to take hold and linger through the middle of next week, bringing chances of daily thunderstorms, some of which could turn strong to severe, with pockets of locally heavy rainfall.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Homebuyers should know which mistakes to protect themselves from to improve their chances of borrowing success this March.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Despite suffering two gut-wrenching home losses in a row, UCF basketball isn’t quite ready to hit the panic button regarding its NCAA Tournament chances.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Simply getting older increases our chances of developing cancer, dementia, heart failure, and many other conditions.
—Andrew S. Brack, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Rain chances will likely stay slim for next week, too.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
The day includes a delicious gourmet luncheon provided by White House Catering, vying for one of the $20 grab bags available that day and chances to bid on memorable experiences during the live auction.
—Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Hours before, attendees were optimistic about the state representatives chances to take on November’s Republican nominee.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be dry, and then rain chances ramp up again Friday and will continue through the weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
This training camp gives him more exposure to the major-league coaching staff and chances to impress in the Cactus League.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
After a warm and sunny weekend, chances for snow and wintry precipitation return overnight Sunday into Monday, forecasters say.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
The predominant weather pattern, consisting of high atmospheric pressure, low humidity and spring-like warmth, has kept any rain chances infrequent and short-lived.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand’s southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
So far, though, astronomers haven't had much luck finding any such line.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But many people who bought travel insurance as a financial backstop to protect against such travel disruptions may be out of luck.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Events in Iran also present China with several structural opportunities, said Zhu Zhaoyi, director of the Middle East Institute at the Peking University HSBC Business School.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Having identified growth opportunities that are better aligned with Lee’s refreshed marketing and opportunities to optimize distribution in Europe and Asia, the exec said Lee is positioned for a return to revenue growth in the second half of 2026.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At a time when Disney is facing major disruption, such gambles may be just what the company needs.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Second-round picks always have been relative gambles and have only lost value in recent years as fewer players declare for each draft.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some risks greater than 2022 Although the market is currently betting against a scenario that could mimic the 2022 oil and gasoline price shock, prices could still surge.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Observers have noted that this organization is prone to fragmentation, which risks further violence.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And because Mary Lavin is working with the short story rather than the novel, what happens in her fiction must have the noise of delicacy and then a fierce or piercing after-effect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, statement handbags, oversized sunglasses, and bold accessories grab attention–but the magic often happens in the details most people overlook.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The legal declaration releases the company of contractual obligations because of extraordinary circumstances.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As part of a plea deal, a count of murder with a special-circumstances allegation of gang activity was dismissed.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years, Mahrouq’s ventures grew from auto sales to finance, insurance, technology, real estate and now hospitality.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In a special session in November, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing UConn Health to create subsidiaries or joint ventures in order to purchase Waterbury, Bristol and Day Kimball hospitals.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
