CHANCES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

chances 1 of 2

noun

plural of chance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opportunities

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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as in gambles

a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure things

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

as in risks

to take a chance on I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

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as in happens

to take place there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland

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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

Its presence in the environment increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said. — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026 The plot’s exposure damaged Democrat Mary Peltola, knocking her off-message, and now threatens her party’s chances of winning control of the Senate. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026 The Bucs offense decided to keep it on the ground and take their chances in the mud rather than airing it out in a downpour. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026 Perhaps most importantly, start the process of shopping for providers and policies now as thorough research and analysis will boost your chances of finding the most suitable policy for you and your beneficiaries. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Trump’s wish is going to have profoundly negative effects on dozens of Republican candidates’ chances, including Donalds. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026 The Upper Peninsula has the highest rain chances throughout the day. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 In fact, the Jags have seven of their final 10 on the road, which could make extending their streak at EverBank key to their playoff chances. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026 Special teams struggles hurt the Blackhawks, who went 0 for 7 on the power play while also failing to capitalize on other chances at even strength. — Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Verb

Attempts by Republicans to make Easter Monday a holiday failed in 2025, and chances that the Diwali bill will pass are also slim. — Tom Sanders, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026 Rain chances over the weekend will be 10 to 15 percent for some quick coastal showers, though mostly sunny days are in store. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 Rain chances increase on Saturday to 80% and rise on Sunday to 90%, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 Showers may continue Saturday, especially south of Interstate 70, with rain chances around 30% to 50%. — Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 Clouds return Monday along with minimal rain chances thanks to a weak front. — Joseph Dames, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 On prediction market platform Kalshi, chances for a hike in October stood at just 18%, down from almost 70% a week ago. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Rain chances midweek Southeast Texas will be on the receiving end of moisture from two sources, according to forecasters. — Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 27 Sep. 2026 After dark, chances rise to 90% and the totals could exceed a half an inch, forecasters say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances

Noun

At some point this franchise’s luck — who remembers Suck for Luck — with quarterbacks has to turn?

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2026
Davis says Macey getting a new heart so quickly was pure luck.

— Monique John, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of luck

Noun

Whether three-, four- or five-day mandates, companies have cited the importance of creative collaboration for business productivity and growth, as well as mentorship opportunities.

— Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
His elite outfield coverage included converting a remarkable 50% of five-star catch opportunities.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of opportunities

Noun

Instead of generating responses token by token, Gemini Decision 1 scores predefined options in a single forward pass, returning probabilities and confidence scores with an end-to-end latency of 150–250 milliseconds.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
While published literature on the math of literally looking for needles in actual stacks of hay are thin on the ground, the principles of such a search lie in an area of math called probabilities.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of probabilities

Noun

In this anything-goes betting culture, are there untapped gambles to be made in other realms?

— Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
While the human might try big gambles to come back from a significant deficit, Ataraxos would work its way back into the game slowly and methodically.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of gambles

Verb

The fresh data arrives at a delicate moment for the central bank, where policymakers are weighing a rate increase that could help tackle inflation but risks a slowdown in hiring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
This part of the brain is involved in tasks such as language and visual processing, contextual memory, and recognizing environments, so removing a part of it risks any number of unexpected consequences.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of risks

Noun

Neither the police department nor the sheriff's office has provided details about the circumstances surrounding Nasca's arrest.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
The primordial puddle also has other molecules, simpler raw ingredients that can, under the correct circumstances, be turned into more of themselves.

— Perri Thaler, Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of circumstances

Noun

Many are navigating partnerships, content opportunities, business ventures and NIL deals at a young age.

— Adam Frank, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2026
Several progressive Democrats want to put off the vote until the new Congress convenes in January, giving them time to rewrite provisions favoring renewables projects over fossil fuel ventures.

— Bob Woods, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026