Synonyms of in the cards

in the cards

phrase

variants also on the cards

as in necessary

impossible to avoid or evade

They knew a career as a ballet dancer wasn't in the cards for their clumsy daughter.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• necessary
• inevitable
• in the bag
• possible
• sure
• certain
• definite
• unavoidable
• likely
• inescapable
• destined
• probable
• ineludible
• ineluctable
• unescapable
• relentless
• decided
• fated
• predetermined
• settled
• unremitting
• foreordained
• preordained
• predestined
• unstoppable
• inexorable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• unsure
• questionable
• unclear
• avoidable
• evadable
• dubious
• shaky
• preventable
• undecided
• unlikely
• unsettled
• unreliable
• improbable
• undependable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of in the cards

For too long, many treated a career in the trades as a consolation prize — what young people did if college wasn’t in the cards. — Brendan Bechtel, Fortune, 25 July 2026

But the way the Panthers had their depth chart set up — signing Walker as well as tackle Stone Forsyth in free agency — playing immediately didn’t necessarily have to be in the cards for Freeling. — Alex Zietlow july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Our Kevin Kurz, however, reports that that’s not likely in the cards. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 23 July 2026

Arraez would be open to a contract extension with the Giants, but such a deal likely isn’t in the cards. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 July 2026