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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of likely
Brit Morse, Fortune, 9 July 2025
There are likely thousands of Dixon fans who co-sign that admission.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
In late May, over 200 loan recipients had their date of birth data voided, the USDA source explained, meaning that their loan accounts with FSA will likely be cancelled.
—Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
And as a result, these workers are twice as likely to consider quitting their jobs, the report finds.
—Brit Morse, Fortune, 9 July 2025
There are likely thousands of Dixon fans who co-sign that admission.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Adverb
On that point, Hollywood labor leaders would likely not disagree.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
In late May, over 200 loan recipients had their date of birth data voided, the USDA source explained, meaning that their loan accounts with FSA will likely be cancelled.
—Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 10 July 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,
30 June 2025
-
Prices have since backed down as analysts predicted closing the Strait of Hormuz, while possible, is not probable.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
His firing came on the same day two of the team’s most promising young stars, outfielder James Wood and pitcher Mackenzie Gore, made the National League All-Star team for the first time.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Stark noted that ascension has made Suarez one of the most promising pending free agents in the sport.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ringer said the most plausible explanation for Grok’s search for Musk’s guidance is assuming the person is asking for the opinions of xAI or Musk.—
Matt O’Brien,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
For a multitude of plausible technical reasons, the AI could readily emit a statement or piece of advice that lacks any semblance of common sense and goes entirely out of bounds.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Knife sets, coffee makers, and pretty plates round out the non-regrettable basics to pick up.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Finally, in the 27th minute, Marcel Ruiz played a pretty entry pass into the box, where Raúl Jiménez did wonderfully to turn and sting a left-footed shot past Matt Freese just inches in front of the shin of Tim Ream, who rushed to try to block the shot of his former Fulham teammate.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
Natural textures brought on by humidity (and probably, some sort of mousse).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 July 2025
-
Your fashion sense has probably changed since then.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The operator lands their FPV by the side of a track or on a rooftop and waits for possible targets, alerted either by a spotter drone or using the drone’s own camera.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
One such rumor: a possible acquisition of Perplexity, the AI-native search engine.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Known for its bright colors and vivid patterns, the store specializes in women’s clothes fit for a resort or a vacation to a tropical island.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Today, however, Kendall was spotted doing a little shopping at the Chloé store with some friends, and her choice of a bright red minidress brought back one of the biggest trends of summer 2023: Tomato girl summer.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Numerous credible monitoring businesses offer account alerts that are highly beneficial in the pursuit of awareness.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
What most defines Price’s writing is his dialogue—a precise and comic urban argot that lends his work a credible feeling of immersion and translates well from the page to the screen.—
Kevin Lozano,
New Yorker,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share