as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
it seems improbable that the two writers never met since they traveled in the same social circles
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Recent Examples of improbable
Hope and change were guiding themes of former President Barack Obama's improbable 2008 presidential campaign that led to two terms in office.
—
Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 June 2026
Chwalińska’s powers of defence were extraordinary, returning the ball from improbable positions not just back into the court, but into neutral positions from which Russia’s Shnaider, 22, could barely attack.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Troy’s mettle and hitting have set up an improbable Super Regional meeting on the Trojans’ home field against Arkansas-Little Rock (36-26).
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026
An odd couple—one a goblin squeezed into an improbable trench-coat onesie, a fedora, and high heels—promenades down a steep incline while other strollers come and go.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for improbable
Tamara Keith, NPR, 4 June 2026
Chwalińska’s powers of defence were extraordinary, returning the ball from improbable positions not just back into the court, but into neutral positions from which Russia’s Shnaider, 22, could barely attack.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Troy’s mettle and hitting have set up an improbable Super Regional meeting on the Trojans’ home field against Arkansas-Little Rock (36-26).
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026
An odd couple—one a goblin squeezed into an improbable trench-coat onesie, a fedora, and high heels—promenades down a steep incline while other strollers come and go.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for improbable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improbable
unlikely
Adjective
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Getting warships into the water is hard enough without wasting funds on vessels unlikely ever to sail.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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Like any great artist, Grohl is a product of her surroundings, and that can’t help but include a very specific, unlikely upbringing.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improbable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improbable. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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