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
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Yet some simple statistical principles suggest any connection is likely an illusion.
—Faye Flam, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
There’s a clear need at the position with Mike Evans likely expected to be with the team for one or two seasons, Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk’s times coming to an end, and newcomer Christian Kirk signing a one-year deal.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
At about 40% of the state’s population, Latinos are California’s largest ethnic group but also among the groups least likely to vote, casting just 21% of ballots in the 2022 primary election.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Yet some simple statistical principles suggest any connection is likely an illusion.
—Faye Flam, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
Adverb
This year, Gilgeous-Alexander likely will repeat as MVP after leading the Thunder to a 64-18 regular-season record.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
There’s a clear need at the position with Mike Evans likely expected to be with the team for one or two seasons, Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk’s times coming to an end, and newcomer Christian Kirk signing a one-year deal.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Embiid began Wednesday listed as probable for Game 2, but six hours before tip-off, the 76ers ruled him out with a right ankle sprain and right hip soreness.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Aaron Nola is listed as the probable pitcher for Monday.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
His breakout has been among the most promising signs for the Twins.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
-
Again, one expected of an assured athlete anticipating a promising NBA career.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to Arthur Ream, a computer information systems lecturer at Bentley University, the home-as-data-center model is plausible, already happening, and a sensible answer for inference workloads, if not training.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
-
Starmer is lucky in that there are three plausible alternatives to him as leader, and all of them are, in different ways, stymied.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 May 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
-
Philadelphia led 90-89 entering the fourth, and Game 2 had become exactly the kind of possession-by-possession fight the Knicks probably hoped to avoid against a wounded opponent.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
So we’re probably doomed to endless toxic feedback loops unless someone hits upon a brilliant fundamental redesign that manages to change those dynamics.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 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
-
The food is rustic and cosmopolitan at once — bright, monumental salads, whole carrots and leeks baptized by fire, skeins of pasta, and Parmigiano snowing down — but the secret is the seeming effortlessness.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Eventually, Delta switched the shuttle to one of the main terminals, and in 2021 Spirit moved into the Marine Air Terminal, bringing its bright-yellow livery and ultra-discount business model with it.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The reward is open to anyone 18 years or older who provides credible evidence that can be confirmed by legal authorities and leads to Braithwaite's return.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
There have also been credible studies that say the competitive balance issues in MLB aren’t worse than in any other sport.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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