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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in probably
by reasonable assumption
the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likely
Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 June 2025
Tusk's government has been seeking to reverse judicial reforms made by the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, but current President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has blocked its efforts - a pattern Nawrocki is likely to continue.
—Anna Magdalena Lubowicka, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
The reason they’re connected: The term limits proposal would need to go to Miami voters for final approval, meaning that question would likely be on the November ballot.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
After Prime Minister Schoof’s resignation on Tuesday, a general election is likely to be called as the current government will struggle to function with a minority in the House of Representatives.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 June 2025
Tusk's government has been seeking to reverse judicial reforms made by the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, but current President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has blocked its efforts - a pattern Nawrocki is likely to continue.
—Anna Magdalena Lubowicka, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Adverb
The rescissions bill will likely be House Republican leadership’s top priority, particularly as the rules surrounding rescissions install a deadline of 45 consecutive days for Congress to pass the bill.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
The reason they’re connected: The term limits proposal would need to go to Miami voters for final approval, meaning that question would likely be on the November ballot.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are probable.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) are probable.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
-
New studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, in the last few days offer promising findings for both pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions, including the impact of diet and exercise.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Most of these magnetic fields have a plausible origin story.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
5 June 2025
-
Using a plausible cover story, the red team passed front-desk security, loitered in stairwells, and accessed upper levels with lower foot traffic.—
Jochen Schwenk,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
There’s an oppressive summer heat wave and he’s confined to his apartment, with the occasional visit of his middle-aged nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter) and his pretty socialite girlfriend, Lisa (Grace Kelly).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Naked Sunday’s sunscreen replaces my foundation with a radiant finish that’s too pretty to cover up, and Luna Nectar’s serum gives a boost of antioxidant protection.—
Elizabeth Siegel,
Allure,
1 June 2025
Adverb
-
However, the end of the conversation was probably the headline – that Amodei refused to rule out AI becoming self-aware in key ways.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Wickham says, over the past year, she's probably spent 200 hours planning.—
Mia Venkat,
NPR,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Dutch’s mission is rooted in making that bond possible—for more people—by providing affordable, ongoing access to care.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
In games that last 20 minutes or less, players compete in two teams of five (10 possible characters to choose from) in a classic game of capture the flag with several non-classical modifications.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships - especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Double-pane sliding glass windows throughout flood the space with natural light, making the whole home feel bright and open.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Today’s leadership challenge is to build businesses that are not only efficient and competitive in the short term, but credible, trustworthy, and resilient over time.—
Mary Johnstone-Louis,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
For example, a user attempting to appear as a credible journalist might choose a handle like @JamesBurnsNYT rather than something more casual like @JimB_NYC.—
Azwad Anjum Islam,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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