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
CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
If the storm system continues to track farther north, the probability of higher snowfall amounts will increase, while a farther south system will decrease the chances.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
As her co-star Cynthia Erivo’s Oscars chances faded, Grande was still considered likely to get a nomination from the Academy.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, chances for snow, sleet, and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Areas with the highest chances of accumulating snow remain along and south of Interstate 70, with the heaviest snowfall expected farther south, especially over the Ozarks, the weather service said.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Both Elle and Hudson were at peace over their Oscar chances.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Plenty of videos mentioning the hack say that eating more fiber can have weight loss benefits and boost your chances of having a healthy gut.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
An abundance of discounts await in Pottery Barn’s sale section, but this weekend is one of the only chances to get an additional 20 percent off.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
The rainfall chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
At night, rain chances ramp up to 60%, as overnight temperatures sink to as low as 31 before dawn Saturday.
—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
Editor Joyce Eng break down the poor box office performance of Sydney Sweeney's Christy, and discuss Tom Cruise's career and potential future Oscar chances ahead of receiving an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Next week will stay quiet, but cold, with highs mostly in the single digits and minor snow chances at times.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
If the storm system continues to track farther north, the probability of higher snowfall amounts will increase, while a farther south system will decrease the chances.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
As her co-star Cynthia Erivo’s Oscars chances faded, Grande was still considered likely to get a nomination from the Academy.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, chances for snow, sleet, and wintry precipitation will first begin in western Oklahoma on Friday morning, then spread north and east through the day.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Areas with the highest chances of accumulating snow remain along and south of Interstate 70, with the heaviest snowfall expected farther south, especially over the Ozarks, the weather service said.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Both Elle and Hudson were at peace over their Oscar chances.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Plenty of videos mentioning the hack say that eating more fiber can have weight loss benefits and boost your chances of having a healthy gut.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
An abundance of discounts await in Pottery Barn’s sale section, but this weekend is one of the only chances to get an additional 20 percent off.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
The rainfall chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
At night, rain chances ramp up to 60%, as overnight temperatures sink to as low as 31 before dawn Saturday.
—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
Editor Joyce Eng break down the poor box office performance of Sydney Sweeney's Christy, and discuss Tom Cruise's career and potential future Oscar chances ahead of receiving an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
In the ad, marking the 48th Super Bowl commercial appearance by Budweiser Clydesdales, a down-on-its-luck eaglet befriends a Clydesdale foal.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
And, with any luck, another egg or two may arrive in the coming days.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Signé added that governments must ensure key rights for citizens that secure inclusive opportunities in order to develop a healthy economy.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As part of those efforts, the Public Investment Fund gathered about a dozen prominent families on the Red Sea last month to assess their appetite for participating in future opportunities, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Christine Burke,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This means that the probabilities for the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis remain completely unchanged by this suspicious draw.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
-
As of now, the highest probabilities for significant snow are maxed out generally from Interstate 70 and points south into northern West Virginia and northwest Maryland, with probabilities tapering off the farther north into KDKA's forecast area.—
Trey Fulbright,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Dodgers didn’t take any one-year gambles to address their need in the outfield this winter.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher's second touchdown carved the Hurricanes' deficit to three points, put Mendoza in position to shine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Massachusetts now risks repeating the same mistakes.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But the most surprising change is different and now risks users losing their accounts.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In tennis, when the changing of the guard happens, the best often know.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
As often happens during a crisis, the best of intentions can lead to some bad ideas.—
Matthew Kandrach,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The circumstances made the role ill-suited to Bennett, and everyone knew that Shawn was beset by phobias.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Detectives from the Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit responded to take over the investigation, but the circumstances of the crash remained under investigation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Post-acquisition, top engineers and product people may leave for new ventures, taking institutional knowledge with them.—
Ron Shevlin,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
That tension led to a broader range of ventures that fall under the same umbrella.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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