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, 27 Mar. 2026
The teams traded baskets and chances most of the night.
—Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Your 11th House of Groups welcomes the intuitive Moon, offering you multiple chances to reconnect with pals or coordinate plans that serve everyone.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The worst record is within reach, and Brooklyn’s schedule gives it plenty of chances to either lock in position or give it away.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
That decision could clear a path for Cleaver to win reelection or dramatically increase Republicans’ chances of forcing him out of office.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Thursday is mostly dry with low rain chances in the afternoon.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Months dragged on, but eventually her lawyer advised her to take the plea deal being offered and plead guilty to dozens of offenses, rather than taking her chances in court with the more than 200 charges with which prosecutors were threatening to stick her.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Rain chances in the Miami area are 20% Friday and Saturday, building to 30% Saturday night.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Rain chances for the next few days are minimal.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Golden likes the Gators chances Friday against whoever emerges from Wednesday’s play-in game.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
After a night of severe storms, Louisville will see winter weather return with cold temperatures and snow chances March 16, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Mar. 2026
If Evans wasn’t optimistic about their Super Bowl chances, what’s that going to mean for Mayfield?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Blackhawks, who are well out of the playoff picture, went scoreless on three power-play chances while the Flyers were 0 for 4 on the power play.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
The teams traded baskets and chances most of the night.
—Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Your 11th House of Groups welcomes the intuitive Moon, offering you multiple chances to reconnect with pals or coordinate plans that serve everyone.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The worst record is within reach, and Brooklyn’s schedule gives it plenty of chances to either lock in position or give it away.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
That decision could clear a path for Cleaver to win reelection or dramatically increase Republicans’ chances of forcing him out of office.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Thursday is mostly dry with low rain chances in the afternoon.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Months dragged on, but eventually her lawyer advised her to take the plea deal being offered and plead guilty to dozens of offenses, rather than taking her chances in court with the more than 200 charges with which prosecutors were threatening to stick her.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Rain chances return by midweek, beginning late Tuesday.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Rain chances in the Miami area are 20% Friday and Saturday, building to 30% Saturday night.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Rain chances for the next few days are minimal.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Golden likes the Gators chances Friday against whoever emerges from Wednesday’s play-in game.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
After a night of severe storms, Louisville will see winter weather return with cold temperatures and snow chances March 16, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Mar. 2026
If Evans wasn’t optimistic about their Super Bowl chances, what’s that going to mean for Mayfield?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
Good news — your luck is about to change!—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
He was rewarded for his labor with a handshake, good-luck wishes and a severance package.—
Mark Davis,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How diminished will their opportunities for success be in the real world?—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Many of the opportunities available were in projects that supported the state’s narrative — from historical dramas valorizing medieval Hindu rulers, to biopics in praise of its leaders.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One month ago, the odds of an April rate cut were 17%, while there was a 94% chance of at least one cut by the end of this year, and a 75% chance of more than one cut, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool , which calculates probabilities using 30-day fed funds futures contracts.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Oncologists think in probabilities and protocols.—
Amber Nigam,
Harvard Business Review,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
She’s seen what the medium is still capable of, with the success of wild gambles like Everything Everywhere.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 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
-
Trump’s desire to bundle the bills and amendments together also risks imperiling the appropriations legislation.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Because the law prohibits sharing confidential investigative data outside of law enforcement, this new unit risks settling cases that are part of much larger, pending investigations.—
Summer Stephan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
What disability status can affect, however, is what happens after a lawsuit is filed and whether a creditor can successfully collect.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One pivotal source emerged under sordid circumstances.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Broward County detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.—
David Fleshler,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Which means, the party all too regularly ventures on to Horan’s house.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Other culinary ventures include Red Smoke Barbeque, which opened in 2010 and is temporarily closed amid Monroe Street renovations.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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