Synonyms of chances

chances 1 of 2

noun

plural of chance

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

• luck
• circumstances
• accidents
• hazards
• casualties
• haps
• fortunes
• risks
• uncertainties
• fates
• dangers
• fortuities
• flukes
• destinies
• perils
• happenchances
• happenstances
• dooms
• haphazardries
• lots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purposes
• intentions
• plans
• designs
• intents
• schemes
• outlines

2

as in opportunities

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place

this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opportunities
• openings
• room
• occasions
• shots
• ways
• breaks
• plays
• passes
• junctures

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

• probabilities
• odds
• possibilities
• percentages
• prospects
• potentials
• potentialities
• contingencies
• outlooks
• conditional probabilities

4

as in gambles

a risky undertaking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gambles
• ventures
• speculations
• adventures
• bets
• enterprises
• throws
• crapshoots
• fliers
• hazards
• stakes
• wagers
• flutters
• liberties
• long shots
• plays
• dark horses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sure things

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

1

as in risks

to take a chance on

I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• risks
• hazards
• ventures
• adventures
• tempts
• runs the risk of
• confronts
• gambles (on)
• breasts
• faces
• challenges
• jeopardizes
• dares
• imperils
• compromises
• endangers
• subjects
• brazens
• outbraves
• braves
• bets (on)
• menaces
• beards
• wagers
• defies
• exposes

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

• happens
• does
• is
• comes
• occurs
• comes about
• comes down
• comes off
• passes
• transpires
• comes to pass
• goes on
• haps
• befalls
• goes down
• cooks
• betides
• results
• rises
• shapes (up)
• proceeds
• springs (up)
• crops (up)
• materializes
• comes up
• develops
• arises
• intervenes
• falls out
• turns out
• breaks
• follows
• goes off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chances

Noun

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Monday that the chances of making speedy headway on forging a peace settlement were bleak after recent Ukrainian attacks, including during recent parliamentary elections in Russia. — Hanna Arhirova, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Desperate to regain her dominance while dazzling pageant recruiter Eloise Amponsah (Tony Award winner Patina Miller), who was Miss Ghana 1966, Paulina launches a campaign to crush Ericka’s spirit and dash her chances in the spotlight. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Besides, there won’t be any more chances for people to get hurt because this is the last charter. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Others would choose to take their chances and roll the dice at home. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Rain chances linger into next weekend Rain chances may linger into Saturday and Sunday, although coverage should gradually decrease. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Highs are expected in the upper 80s and the rain chances for the week through Sunday hover around the 80% range — especially Wednesday when the weather service puts storm chances at 88%. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

The winner will emerge feeling optimistic about its chances of making a run in the Big 12, while the loser may need to recalibrate expectations for the rest of the season. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026

The creation of more tech sector jobs may increase the chances of Nepali youth staying in the country, but growing Nepal’s domestic workforce has remained urgent—and contentious. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

Rain chances linger into next weekend Rain chances may linger into Saturday and Sunday, although coverage should gradually decrease. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 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

Highs are expected in the upper 80s and the rain chances for the week through Sunday hover around the 80% range — especially Wednesday when the weather service puts storm chances at 88%. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Rain chances in Central Florida climb to 80% on Labor Day with temperatures in the 90s, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026

Rain chances along the storm's path remain over 60% on Wednesday, according to weather service forecasts. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Super-sized conferences have created a world in which the league opponents a team plays — and doesn’t play — during the regular season can be a major factor in that team’s College Football Playoff chances. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Rain chances return to the region late Sunday into Monday morning, the weather service said. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026