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
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Cori Clingman, 25, made the plea in Maryland court and is likely to serve three years in prison.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The stadium name will likely be determined by the District of Columbia Council and National Park Service.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
As dealmaking activity picks back up, Bank of America highlighted Domino’s Pizza and Universal Health Services among the most likely candidates for a potential merger or acquisition.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Cori Clingman, 25, made the plea in Maryland court and is likely to serve three years in prison.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
Alex Wong | Getty Images Swelling health insurance premiums will likely have many consequences for households, according to health policy experts.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
The stadium name will likely be determined by the District of Columbia Council and National Park Service.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Sama was limited last week against Arizona State, but he was listed as probable on the player availability report.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Murray is listed as probable for Wednesday night’s game.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Nico Harrison’s disdain for beloved superstar Luka Dončić is going to end what was once a promising career as a basketball general manager.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Scherzer has won two titles, just missing out on his third this year, but his promising performance in the postseason has the free agent motivated for another go-around.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
As research advances and deployments grow through 2026 and beyond, dynamic on-the-move EV charging is becoming an increasingly plausible part of the future transport landscape—advancing one corridor, one region, and one innovation at a time.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
One very plausible explanation would have been Bieber and the Blue Jays having some sort of extension on the table or even in the early stages of discussion.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There is also pretty but not always energetic imagery filmed in different referenced parts of the current American wilderness — snow gathering in fields, mist rising above mountaintops — and never-energetic shots of re-enactors loading muskets or preparing for battle.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
These aren’t just pretty faces at pretty events.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
That probably stems from the extraordinary effort his players have produced across this block of fixtures.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Newsom’s closure of that highway, where shrapnel actually fell on police vehicles, probably saved both lives and plenty of property damage.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If the court accepts the case, oral arguments could be scheduled for the spring, with a possible decision by June.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sustained, strong winds are possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers have discovered the brightest and most powerful flare ever seen from a supermassive black hole.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no credible data, experts say, showing the fever-reducer isn’t safe when it’s used correctly.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Exit readiness refers to being strategically prepared for a sale or public offering, highlighting strong performance, credible growth potential, and operational improvements to attract buyers.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share