chancy

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 chancy Lifelong recommendations based on studies of roughly 50 patients and for no longer than three months seem a bit chancy. WSJ, 13 Sep. 2018 The early concerts have had a biting, chancy energy. New York Times, 21 June 2018 In a curious twist, Gunderson takes the story in an extremely chancy direction during the show’s final minutes. David Lyman, Cincinnati.com, 14 Apr. 2018 In the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW, Jeff Lucas watched a driver plow through the brown and turbulent waters in what had momentarily seemed to be a chancy undertaking. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2017 The point is that reporting on alleged facts that won’t take place for a decade or more in the future is chancy at best. Ed Wallace, star-telegram, 14 July 2017 Steve Jobs was making what was at the time an extraordinarily chancy wager. Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY, 23 June 2017 George Washington's chancy nighttime retreat from Brooklyn to Manhattan was a kind of Colonial-era Dunkirk. Benedict Cosgrove, Smithsonian, 13 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chancy
Adjective
  • By any measure of belief, Miami is due for some combination of a lucky roll or a fortuitous bounce.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The timing for such a leap is fortuitous.
    Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In this instance, Winston, after his mutation, is looking clean house on Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon), a corrupt businessman whose haphazard ways led to his terminal illness and skirts treating him for it.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • But the study said many students, parents and school officials felt the roll-out of the policy was haphazard and that enforcement has been inconsistent.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bookstore idea came from a random day at her local coffee shop and an empty stall in the strip mall.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • During a random search of the area, two officers accidentally stumble on a member of the gang posing as a municipal worker in a high-viz boiler suit.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Taylor Farms has recalled its Honey Balsamic Salad Kits in response to an accidental switch in the salad dressing.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The safety lock prevents accidental deployment while the Flex Shears tool is in your pocket or bag.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At one point during the argument, Barrow's fist allegedly made inadvertent contact with his wife's facial area, sports journalist Andy Slater reported, citing police.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Last Tuesday, Osaka wore a red-and-black Nike outfit in her first-round US Open victory, a color choice that created an inadvertent homage to Serena Williams’ 2018 French Open catsuit.
    Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Angel Reese was assessed her 8th technical foul of the season after incidental contact with Aaliyah Edwards on this play.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The defensive line is far too often out of alignment, the midfield is still searching for balance between security and verve, while the front three are lucky to combine more than a handful of times per game.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Love Island star Taylor Williams is lucky to be alive after ending up under his horse during a terrifying rodeo accident.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Start by conducting a comprehensive audit of your current maintenance practices and unplanned downtime costs.
    Chris Turlica, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Make two batches and freeze one for unplanned nights ahead.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chancy. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!