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
Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Just last month, thieves made off with 60,000 pounds of walnuts from trailers in the Bronx’s Hunts Point distribution hub, likely to resell right back into the market.
—Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026
The company noted in a press release that the impact of the Iran war will likely lead to further earnings upside.
—Davis Giangiulio,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
But the new traffic data the railroads analyzed from all the major freight railroads convinced executives that more job growth is likely.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Just last month, thieves made off with 60,000 pounds of walnuts from trailers in the Bronx’s Hunts Point distribution hub, likely to resell right back into the market.
—Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Mercury likely isn't a concern either.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026
The company noted in a press release that the impact of the Iran war will likely lead to further earnings upside.
—Davis Giangiulio,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Beyond the decrepit hydro plant, the entire dam's spillway is too small to pass a probable maximum flood and upgrades could cost millions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The most probable candidate for the true author is, however, Shakespeare himself.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Coffee is one of the most promising sectors for economic development in Yemen, where more than 80% of the population lives in poverty, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
Changing the body’s response to chronic disease Some of the most promising technologies for longevity will need to be prescribed, not bought.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Killen’s construction of the season one arc doesn’t let the character show off any plausible ingenuity or expertise.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There are mud pools from Yellowstone National Park that have a squeamish gurgle, and hearing them amid a crackling bonfire feels unexpectedly harmonious, even plausible.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the pretty blatant way that Manus redomiciled in Singapore, Beijing probably had to act to stop other Chinese founders from doing the same thing.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The hotel’s pretty-in-pink Spanish-Mediterranean façade has been a Southern California fixture for 100 years, since earning the moniker The Pink Lady.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
At this year's event, held at Pura Padel, Holland participated with other BERO higher-ups in a friendly tournament of padel, a racquet sport that's probably best described as a combination of squash and tennis.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The company has raced to buy as much computing power as possible, making $600 billion in spending commitments last year.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Determined to rise to the occasion and work out every possible kink, Daisy sets out to resolve conflicts between the stews and in the galley.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His orangey hair nearly matched a color in his brand-new Miami Dolphins jersey, the number thirty-nine spangly and bright.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
This popular, low-maintenance plant features stunning burgundy foliage and bright pink spring flowers.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Officials added that state law allows coordination with ICE for individuals convicted of serious felonies or those facing credible charges, and said California does not interfere with federal immigration enforcement.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Ask for credible sources and fact-check responses.—
LeeAnn Weintraub,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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