as in probability
the quality or state of being likely to occur
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
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Recent Examples of likelihood
This is the first time this approach, formally called profile-likelihood analysis, has been applied to fractional dark matter–proton scattering from CMB data.
—
Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
The day after proceedings started, Kalshi traders were calling for a 60% likelihood Musk would win the case.
—Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Nigerian politician Peter Obi withdrew from a coalition that agreed to present a united front against President Bola Tinubu in January’s election, increasing the likelihood that the opposition vote will be split.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Plus, there was the likelihood of a transplant.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
The day after proceedings started, Kalshi traders were calling for a 60% likelihood Musk would win the case.
—Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Nigerian politician Peter Obi withdrew from a coalition that agreed to present a united front against President Bola Tinubu in January’s election, increasing the likelihood that the opposition vote will be split.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Plus, there was the likelihood of a transplant.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
-
Personalized treatments could help the field move beyond symptom suppression and toward functional remission, optimizing the probability of therapeutic success and eventually evolving into improved prevention.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
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The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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