likely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlī-klē How to pronounce likely (audio)
Definition of likelynext
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

likely

2 of 2

adverb

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
Adjective
Other experts say that unless Japan addresses the structural forces driving the weakness in yen, the intervention's effects are likely to be short-lived. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026 Imray and Cacace seem likely starters in the wing-back roles, with James and O’Brien renewing their partnership in holding midfield. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Adverb
About 2,000 people nationwide are diagnosed each year, although the agency says the true number is likely much higher because many infected people never develop symptoms or seek medical care. — Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Space cargo transport likely will not replace conventional transportation methods, such as sea shipping or air freight. — Euihyeon Choi, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
  1. probable
  2. promising
  3. plausible
  4. pretty
  5. probably
  6. possible
  7. bright
  8. credible
Adjective
  • And the Maryland Department of Health has had 29 confirmed and 114 probable cases of Vibrio vulnificus so far.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The standard is very low, and that is 'more probable than not' that this child may have been put in an unreasonable risk of harm.
    — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • Explainability is the bridge between a promising pilot and real production.
    — Rick Morris, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • One promising way forward is for cities and counties to invest in community hubs, such as public libraries, or create new gathering spaces across communities.
    — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • If Washington continues to undercut its own advantages, China has established the foundations to provide at least some plausible replacements.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Part of his mission was to use as much of the city— particularly locations from his childhood—as possible, while making the characters' movements and transit choices actually plausible.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • Stewart teamed up once more with hairstylist Chris Appleton, who gave her the subtlest, prettiest, most whimsical wash of pink in her pale blonde hair using Schwarzkopf hair color.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This pretty, charming — and calming — trail often evokes the rolling hills and dales of the English countryside.
    — Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Of these, most of the mistakes were in incurring the liability in the first place, with probably at least a third of them being from personal guarantees being called.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Even had Guardiola stayed on, City would probably be playing a more direct brand of football next season, with players more suited to beating a man and covering ground than playing a thousand million passes.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of probably
Adjective
  • Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • With an address right in the heart of Paris, this place is ideal for first-timers who want to see as much as possible, or art lovers who are in town specifically to see the Louvre.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • For example, when light bends around a sharp obstacle or boundary, such as a knife edge, the waves bend and interfere with one another to create bands of dark and bright light.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • While The Row’s version is sold out in classic shades like black and cream, Quince just dropped fresh summer and early fall colors, including ivory, bright red, and tea green.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • In a primary field that looks to be crowded by denizens of the party’s left, a credible moderate could win the nomination and, if current polling is accurate, easily defeat a MAGA GOP candidate.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The fix is mutual education, because neither team can identify the credible worst-case consequences alone.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of credible

Browse Nearby Words

likelihood
likely
liken
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Cite this Entry

“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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