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
Despite the market volatility, Lauber has a positive outlook, citing recent record initial public offerings and the likelihood of interest rate cuts in the U.S.
—
Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025
Other factors that tend to accelerate hurricane likelihood from August through October include the dissipation of Saharan Dust.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
In fact, the research from Resume Genius reveals that the likelihood of having a side hustle decreases as Gen Z workers’ level of formal education increases.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
The hurricane center raised its likelihood for development to 50% over the next seven days, as of Tuesday morning.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025
Other factors that tend to accelerate hurricane likelihood from August through October include the dissipation of Saharan Dust.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
In fact, the research from Resume Genius reveals that the likelihood of having a side hustle decreases as Gen Z workers’ level of formal education increases.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
The hurricane center raised its likelihood for development to 50% over the next seven days, as of Tuesday morning.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
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If power to the tuned mass damper failed (a plausible occurrence in a hurricane), this probability fell to once every 16 years.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
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In an early-morning update on Friday, the agency said the disturbance at 50 percent chance of formation through 48 hours, with the same probability through seven days.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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