Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

likely

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of likely

1 having a high chance of occurring
  • It's likely we'll see them at the party.
Synonyms of likely

probable
Words Related to likely

conceivable, earthly, imaginable, possible, potential, supposable

apt, bound, certain, doubtless, imminent, inescapable, inevitable, liable, necessary, sure, unavoidable
Near Antonyms of likely

impossible, inconceivable, unimaginable
Antonyms of likely

doubtful, dubious, improbable, questionable, unlikely
2 having qualities which inspire hope
  • This looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing.
Synonyms of likely

auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, optimistic, promising, propitious, rose-colored, roseate, rosy, upbeat
Words Related to likely

cheering, comforting, reassuring, soothing

assured, confident, decisive, doubtless, positive, sure, unhesitating

beamish, bullish

favorable, good
Near Antonyms of likely

cheerless, comfortless

doubtful, dubious, uncertain

bearish, grim, negative, unfavorable

funereal, glum, gray (also grey), miserable, wretched
Antonyms of likely

bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal, downbeat, dreary, gloomy, hopeless, inauspicious, pessimistic, unencouraging, unlikely, unpromising, unpropitious
3 worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable
  • We didn't find her excuse a very likely story.
Synonyms of likely

believable, credible, creditable, plausible, presumptive, probable
Words Related to likely

cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, forceful, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling

acceptable, cogitable, conceivable, imaginable, possible, practical, reasonable

dependable, reliable, trustworthy

sophistic (or sophistical), specious
Near Antonyms of likely

absurd, doubtful, dubious, fantastic (also fantastical), flimsy, outlandish, preposterous, questionable, ridiculous

impossible, inconceivable, unimaginable, unthinkable

skeptical, suspect, suspicious, uncertain, unsure

hopeless, unworkable, useless
Antonyms of likely

far-fetched, implausible, improbable, incredible, unbelievable, unlikely, unplausible

likely

adverb

Synonyms and Antonyms of likely

by reasonable assumption
  • The picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues.
Synonyms of likely

assumably, doubtless, presumably, probably
Words Related to likely

maybe, mayhap, perchance, perhaps, possibly

conceivably, imaginably, plausibly, practically, reasonably

potentially

assuredly, certainly, clearly, conclusively, decisively, definitely, definitively, indisputably, indubitably, positively, really, surely, truly, undeniably, undoubtedly, unquestionably

presumedly, supposably, supposedly
Phrases Synonymous with likely

as like as not (or like as not)
Near Antonyms of likely

implausibly, inconceivably, incredibly, unbelievably, unthinkably
Antonyms of likely

improbably

Learn More about likely

  1. Dictionary: Definition of likely Spanish Central: Translation of likely Nglish: Translation of likely for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of likely for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up likely? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games