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
FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The scenes in the French capital are full of welcome color and life — everything from receptions in salons or at Versailles to a street carnival to a mermaid swimming in an aquarium — all chances to display sumptuous costumes by Corinne Bruand.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
But a crowded Democratic field increases the chances that two Republicans and no Democrats make it past the June primary.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.
—Mark Mitchell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Here's a look at why the candidates like their chances in this year's election.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Republicans are publicly calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and privately freaking out that her Minnesota mess will doom their chances of holding Congress in the 2026 midterms.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
But now that quite a few years have passed, what are the chances that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings will ever return?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Storm chances return next week Overall, the elevated wildfire risk is expected to be short-lived.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
The weather service reports that chances for snow, sleet and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
After midnight, rain chances ramp up to about 40% amid increasing clouds.
—Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
Rain chances People in the Miami-area should plan on packing a rain jacket or an umbrella through Friday.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Cruise highlights include scenic sailing through the Endicott Arm and around the Dawes Glacier, shopping for Indigenous handicrafts in Icy Strait Point, and chances to spot wildlife like humpback whales and bears.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Precipitation chances for this round range from 25% to 50%.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The 49ers chances at the top seed in the NFC playoffs are dead.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
Continue reading … GROUNDED TRUTH – Puka Nacua plays coy on chances for Sydney Sweeney date after making play for her.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The scenes in the French capital are full of welcome color and life — everything from receptions in salons or at Versailles to a street carnival to a mermaid swimming in an aquarium — all chances to display sumptuous costumes by Corinne Bruand.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
But a crowded Democratic field increases the chances that two Republicans and no Democrats make it past the June primary.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.
—Mark Mitchell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Here's a look at why the candidates like their chances in this year's election.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Republicans are publicly calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and privately freaking out that her Minnesota mess will doom their chances of holding Congress in the 2026 midterms.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
But now that quite a few years have passed, what are the chances that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings will ever return?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Storm chances return next week Overall, the elevated wildfire risk is expected to be short-lived.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
The weather service reports that chances for snow, sleet and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
After midnight, rain chances ramp up to about 40% amid increasing clouds.
—Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
Rain chances People in the Miami-area should plan on packing a rain jacket or an umbrella through Friday.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Cruise highlights include scenic sailing through the Endicott Arm and around the Dawes Glacier, shopping for Indigenous handicrafts in Icy Strait Point, and chances to spot wildlife like humpback whales and bears.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Precipitation chances for this round range from 25% to 50%.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
The 49ers chances at the top seed in the NFC playoffs are dead.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
Pregnancy was an offense punishable by death in the camps, yet all three women managed to survive horrific conditions, give birth and keep their newborns alive through seemingly impossible twists of fate and luck.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As the pair walk towards the arena together, Dunk is greeted by several smallfolk who pat him on the back and wish him luck in the upcoming trial by combat.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Guests are invited to tour the oyster farm before a tasting menu at the O Bar, and there are plenty of other opportunities to sample these salty delicacies across the three other restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And, conversely, what new opportunities are emerging for Israel’s creative growth?—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For what quantum mechanics actually supplies is the probabilities of measurement outcomes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Like other participants, the Mantic AI had to answer 60 questions by assigning probabilities to certain outcomes.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
11 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
-
McCarthy warned that being too quick to bring untested criminal cases against political adversaries risks damaging institutional legitimacy regardless of which party is in power.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Attempting to globalize it risks turning off Americans who support it by featuring an all-Spanish performance in the NFL’s signature event.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Protests and accusations and talk like this goes on all the time, and nothing ever happens.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The allegations raised fresh questions about the circumstances of Navalny's 2024 death and about the origin of a highly unusual toxin.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Common dreams about exes—and possible readings Each person’s dream about an ex is likely to have a meaning that’s entirely specific to them, involving both their feelings toward that ex and their life circumstances at the moment.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His various business ventures also helped pave the way for the Michelin Guide’s 2016 Southeast Asian debut in Singapore.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Three recent stories about Miami-Dade entrepreneurs highlight local leaders, new business ventures and the power of community representation.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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