Synonyms of likely

likely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlī-klē 

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

• probable
• possible
• inevitable
• potential
• doubtless
• conceivable
• supposable
• bound
• necessary
• liable
• imaginable
• unavoidable
• earthly
• imminent
• apt
• sure
• inescapable
• certain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• doubtful
• questionable
• improbable
• impossible
• dubious
• inconceivable
• unimaginable

2

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope

this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promising
• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• propitious
• rosy
• fair
• heartening
• auspicious
• golden
• upbeat
• doubtless
• positive
• favorable
• sure
• reassuring
• good
• confident
• roseate
• assured
• comforting
• rose-colored
• decisive
• soothing
• cheering
• bullish
• unhesitating
• beamish
• eupeptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• desperate
• dark
• discouraging
• hopeless
• pessimistic
• bleak
• depressing
• dismal
• gloomy
• dreary
• unpromising
• doubtful
• inauspicious
• uncertain
• disheartening
• negative
• dubious
• cheerless
• unpropitious
• unfavorable
• comfortless
• unencouraging
• downbeat
• grim
• gray
• bearish
• miserable
• wretched
• glum
• funereal

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

• plausible
• probable
• credible
• possible
• compelling
• presumptive
• believable
• reasonable
• convincing
• creditable
• acceptable
• conclusive
• reliable
• effective
• practical
• satisfying
• conceivable
• telling
• persuasive
• strong
• decisive
• cogent
• imaginable
• dependable
• forceful
• trustworthy
• cogitable
• specious
• sophistic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlikely
• impossible
• incredible
• improbable
• doubtful
• implausible
• unbelievable
• questionable
• ridiculous
• absurd
• dubious
• outlandish
• fantastic
• preposterous
• flimsy
• inconceivable
• uncertain
• unthinkable
• far-fetched
• suspect
• unimaginable
• unsure
• unplausible
• suspicious
• skeptical
• useless
• hopeless
• unworkable

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

• pretty
• attractive
• lovely
• beautiful
• handsome
• cute
• good
• gorgeous
• stunning
• charming
• seemly
• elegant
• taking
• delightful
• perfect
• fair
• comely
• desirable
• good-looking
• fascinating
• aesthetic
• goodly
• ravishing
• sightly
• drop-dead
• glorious
• fetching
• hot
• appealing
• knockout
• pleasant
• sexy
• beauteous
• magnificent
• well-favored
• flawless
• bonny
• superb
• engaging
• alluring
• exquisite
• cunning
• delicate
• glamorous
• lovesome
• prepossessing
• splendid
• sublime
• radiant
• presentable
• personable
• striking
• resplendent
• statuesque
• seductive
• dainty
• toothsome
• showy
• prettyish
• glossy
• flashy
• slick
• flamboyant
• foxy
• photogenic
• luscious
• snazzy
• hunky
• nubile
• splashy
• arresting
• Junoesque
• studly
• dishy
• pulchritudinous
• eye-catching
• telegenic
• dollish
• chocolate-box
• showstopping
• zingy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ugly
• plain
• unattractive
• bad
• hideous
• terrible
• objectionable
• grotesque
• unsightly
• homely
• unpleasing
• horrible
• disagreeable
• dreadful
• shocking
• offensive
• repugnant
• abhorrent
• unlovely
• unpleasant
• loathsome
• disgusting
• abominable
• ghastly
• repulsive
• nasty
• vile
• revolting
• frightful
• foul
• repellent
• sickening
• uncomely
• unappealing
• nauseating
• ill-favored
• unhandsome
• unpretty
• unbeautiful
• unaesthetic
• unappetizing
• uncute
• unprepossessing
• unbecoming
• unimposing
• unshapely
• frumpy
• frumpish

likely

2 of 2

adverb

as in probably

by reasonable assumption

the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• probably
• perhaps
• maybe
• presumably
• surely
• definitely
• certainly
• doubtless
• possibly
• definitively
• assumably
• undoubtedly
• potentially
• as like as not
• reasonably
• practically
• clearly
• conceivably
• plausibly
• positively
• assuredly
• unquestionably
• supposedly
• undeniably
• imaginably
• conclusively
• mayhap
• indisputably
• decisively
• really
• perchance
• indubitably
• truly
• presumedly
• supposably

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improbably
• incredibly
• unbelievably
• inconceivably
• implausibly
• unthinkably

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of likely

Adjective

The University of Virginia's Center for Politics rates the race as likely Republican. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Considering women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, major investments like these could have a big impact on women’s mental health if they’re approved. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Abrams cautioned that state prosecutors will likely object and press the judge to proceed with the murder trial in state court because the charges in both cases are different. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

If an appeal is necessary, it will likely be considered by the SPC Operations Committee or the board of directors, depending on whether they were involved in the original decision. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026