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
That has raised the likelihood that the team essentially runs it back next season with its incumbent stars and without any major new additions.
—
Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The bottom line The likelihood of a material drop in mortgage interest rates after this week's Fed meeting, unlike the last three, appears to be low right now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
And with federal funding for the government set to expire at the week’s end, the growing opposition to the measure has increased the likelihood of a partial government shutdown.
—Connor Greene, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Slipping and falling can lead to fractures, head injuries and spinal injuries, with older adults at particularly high risk of serious harm because of lower bone density and higher likelihood of being on blood thinners.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The bottom line The likelihood of a material drop in mortgage interest rates after this week's Fed meeting, unlike the last three, appears to be low right now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
And with federal funding for the government set to expire at the week’s end, the growing opposition to the measure has increased the likelihood of a partial government shutdown.
—Connor Greene, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Slipping and falling can lead to fractures, head injuries and spinal injuries, with older adults at particularly high risk of serious harm because of lower bone density and higher likelihood of being on blood thinners.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
-
In the days leading up to the climb, prediction-market odds placed the probability of a successful ascent at roughly 90 to 95 percent, implying about a 5 to 10 percent chance of failure.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
People are taking enormous risks for small probabilities of enormous returns.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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