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

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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
At some point in your life, making connections was likely something that happened quite frequently. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 Economic impact likely to be modest The economic impact is likely to be minimal. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Other economies in the region will likely see labor productivity decline as temperatures rise. — Mitch New, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 If the United States moves ahead with mining in open ocean areas, countries that have signed on to international laws restricting extraction, including China, India, and Russia, will likely cry foul. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 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
  • Meanwhile, linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin has been upgraded to probable after initially being listed as questionable.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Her students turn Percy Shelley into a misogynist and probable rapist, then attack the idea that anything written by such a man might remain worth reading.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • If explored further, this study could open a promising new pathway to global, large-scale clean energy storage by showing that naturally occurring hydrogen traps can double as high-capacity power banks.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Of interest to the teenage set is new series Coven Academy, which is set at a New Orleans school that only enrolls the most promising witches and warlocks.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • The wait for season three will almost certainly be a bit shorter, with a return next fall seeming very plausible given the second season had an eight-month turnaround after filming wrapped.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • As a result, many senior Western officials are finally warning that a Russian attack on the EU is entirely plausible.
    — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • After spending much of the year in bright tomato reds and pretty, polished pinks, the actor and singer has gone several shades deeper for fall, courtesy of longtime nail artist Tom Bachik.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But beyond the pretty bottle, the formula packs a serious skin-care punch, with 5% mandelic acid, azelaic acid, and licorice root to gently improve the appearance of dark underarms.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Brower and Simone learned that pigeons were a common source of food for people thousands of years ago and used the sun, and probably the earth's magnetic field, for navigation.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Jack Wolf Westwood Lincoln Riley talks a big game about excelling in the Big Ten, but in losing badly to Oregon and its backup quarterback, USC probably couldn’t win the Pac-12 this year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of probably
Adjective
  • The South's joint chiefs said Saturday the military stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible further launches from the North and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • As Yemen returns to a level of fighting intensity not seen since the 2022 truce, the civil war has entered a decisive phase, with several possible avenues forward.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The shoe features a bright Hot Punch/Neo Pink colorway, which translates to a pink gradient fade across the sneaker’s signature Opticast upper.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Micron’s bright outlook Micron delivered another blowout quarter Wednesday, but the bigger takeaway was management’s outlook on the supply-demand imbalance and the prospect for a powerful stock buyback.
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Jeff Nash, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • That gives the shape a credible, slow-build pedigree rather than a viral origin story.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The question of Palestinian statehood cannot be left for the end of a peace process, and the prospect of it must be credible to ensure Palestinians’ engagement with political renewal.
    — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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