Synonyms of likely

likely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlī-klē 

1

as in probable

having a high chance of occurring

if you don't graduate from high school, your likely fate is a low-paying job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• probable
• possible
• inevitable
• potential
• doubtless
• conceivable
• supposable
• bound
• necessary
• liable
• imaginable
• unavoidable
• earthly
• imminent
• apt
• sure
• inescapable
• certain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• doubtful
• questionable
• improbable
• impossible
• dubious
• inconceivable
• unimaginable

2

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope

this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promising
• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• propitious
• rosy
• fair
• heartening
• auspicious
• golden
• upbeat
• doubtless
• positive
• favorable
• sure
• reassuring
• good
• confident
• roseate
• assured
• comforting
• rose-colored
• decisive
• soothing
• cheering
• bullish
• unhesitating
• beamish
• eupeptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• desperate
• dark
• discouraging
• hopeless
• pessimistic
• bleak
• depressing
• dismal
• gloomy
• dreary
• unpromising
• doubtful
• inauspicious
• uncertain
• disheartening
• negative
• dubious
• cheerless
• unpropitious
• unfavorable
• comfortless
• unencouraging
• downbeat
• grim
• gray
• bearish
• miserable
• wretched
• glum
• funereal

3

as in plausible

worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable

we didn't find her excuse a very likely story

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plausible
• probable
• credible
• possible
• compelling
• presumptive
• believable
• reasonable
• convincing
• creditable
• acceptable
• conclusive
• reliable
• effective
• practical
• satisfying
• conceivable
• telling
• persuasive
• strong
• decisive
• cogent
• imaginable
• dependable
• forceful
• trustworthy
• cogitable
• specious
• sophistic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• impossible
• incredible
• improbable
• doubtful
• implausible
• unbelievable
• questionable
• ridiculous
• absurd
• dubious
• outlandish
• fantastic
• preposterous
• flimsy
• inconceivable
• uncertain
• unthinkable
• far-fetched
• suspect
• unimaginable
• unsure
• unplausible
• suspicious
• skeptical
• useless
• hopeless
• unworkable

4

as in pretty

very pleasing to look at

a likely gal such as yourself should have no trouble getting a date

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pretty
• attractive
• lovely
• beautiful
• handsome
• cute
• good
• gorgeous
• stunning
• charming
• seemly
• elegant
• taking
• delightful
• perfect
• fair
• comely
• desirable
• good-looking
• fascinating
• aesthetic
• goodly
• ravishing
• sightly
• drop-dead
• glorious
• fetching
• hot
• appealing
• knockout
• pleasant
• sexy
• beauteous
• magnificent
• well-favored
• flawless
• bonny
• superb
• engaging
• alluring
• exquisite
• cunning
• delicate
• glamorous
• lovesome
• prepossessing
• splendid
• sublime
• radiant
• presentable
• personable
• striking
• resplendent
• statuesque
• seductive
• dainty
• toothsome
• showy
• prettyish
• glossy
• flashy
• slick
• flamboyant
• foxy
• photogenic
• luscious
• snazzy
• hunky
• nubile
• splashy
• arresting
• Junoesque
• studly
• dishy
• pulchritudinous
• eye-catching
• telegenic
• dollish
• chocolate-box
• showstopping
• zingy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ugly
• plain
• unattractive
• bad
• hideous
• terrible
• objectionable
• grotesque
• unsightly
• homely
• unpleasing
• horrible
• disagreeable
• dreadful
• shocking
• offensive
• repugnant
• abhorrent
• unlovely
• unpleasant
• loathsome
• disgusting
• abominable
• ghastly
• repulsive
• nasty
• vile
• revolting
• frightful
• foul
• repellent
• sickening
• uncomely
• unappealing
• nauseating
• ill-favored
• unhandsome
• unpretty
• unbeautiful
• unaesthetic
• unappetizing
• uncute
• unprepossessing
• unbecoming
• unimposing
• unshapely
• frumpy
• frumpish

likely

2 of 2

adverb

as in probably

by reasonable assumption

the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• probably
• perhaps
• maybe
• presumably
• surely
• definitely
• certainly
• doubtless
• possibly
• definitively
• assumably
• undoubtedly
• potentially
• as like as not
• reasonably
• practically
• clearly
• conceivably
• plausibly
• positively
• assuredly
• unquestionably
• supposedly
• undeniably
• imaginably
• conclusively
• mayhap
• indisputably
• decisively
• really
• perchance
• indubitably
• truly
• presumedly
• supposably

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improbably
• incredibly
• unbelievably
• inconceivably
• implausibly
• unthinkably

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of likely

Adjective

While the success of Gus is likely to encourage the sale of more dinosaur bones, paleontologists and other experts warn that there are few safeguards for authenticity or verification in the industry. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 14 July 2026

The report found that 80 percent of Americans sometimes use coupons, with women more likely to use them than men (46 percent compared to 26 percent, respectively). — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Adverb

Even efforts to reseed native flora likely wouldn’t include goldenweed, Ertter said. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026

His view was that supply would likely grow to catch up with demand. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 15 July 2026