CHANCY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

chancy

adjective

Definition of chancy

as in chance

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Actions that seemed foolhardy when Rue was younger now come off as merely chancy, with Zendaya imparting enough hard-knock experience to pull off bigger swings. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 Most storms occur in the summer months when the subtropical climate is at its most humid, making August’s Perseid meteor shower a chancier time to visit. — Sheeka Sanahori, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025 Lifelong recommendations based on studies of roughly 50 patients and for no longer than three months seem a bit chancy. — WSJ, 13 Sep. 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 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

In what could be fortuitous timing for hearing aid users, Anker announced its first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids at IFA 2026.

— John Higgins, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
Solar and lunar eclipses usually come in pairs because of the fortuitous way the moon, Earth and sun interact.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fortuitous

Adjective

However, industry leaders caution against haphazard AI adoption, emphasizing that strategic, disciplined implementation is crucial to avoid significant financial pitfalls.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Communication with employees about the requirement to move to new offices has been haphazard, workers at six agencies said.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of haphazard

Adjective

Italy imposed the border controls -- which amounted to random police checks at airports and seaports for passengers arriving from Spain -- by claiming a threat to its internal security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Much like Arya killing the Night King, Bran Stark becoming king of Westeros remains a random and highly controversial choice nearly a decade since the ending of Game of Thrones.

— Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

For this reason, users are becoming more anxious about protecting their smartphones from accidental drops.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026
Brussels must recognize this strength and treat the durability of its institutional framework as a deliberate asset rather than an accidental feature.

— JONAS NAHM, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Despite the shortstop’s inadvertent trespassing into Bush’s headspace, the president sidestepped the ceremonial mark at the front of the mound and toed the rubber like a pro.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026
After their inadvertent reintroduction, Gordon and Ashley’s friends beg them not to get back together.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of inadvertent

Adjective

When Sidney Crosby again delivered Pittsburgh Penguins season tickets to a lucky family on Tuesday, one of the recipients joked that everyone is delighted Crosby is still playing at age 39.

— Josh Yohe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Fire officials said the driver who was able to escape the vehicle is lucky to be alive.

— Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of lucky

Adjective

Sheriff’s officials cautioned, however, that even hikers taking that route needed to prepare for unexpected trouble, including injuries and unplanned overnight stays.

— Darrell Smith, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
One production detail was unplanned, according to the distillery—apparently, the new make spirit for this release was stored in the cistern room for six days because of a holiday weekend, which is longer than usual.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026