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
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Thursday’s poll surveyed 1,000 likely primary voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Crawford is still feeling sore and will likely undergo an MRI to figure out exactly what is wrong.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
While that risk of impact has been confidently ruled out, the date of its future rendezvous with our planet on Friday the 13th is likely no salve to those who are superstitious.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Thursday’s poll surveyed 1,000 likely primary voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The houses of worship bill, which Speaker Julie Menin strongly advocated for, passed with a veto-proof majority, so pursuing a veto would likely be futile.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Crawford is still feeling sore and will likely undergo an MRI to figure out exactly what is wrong.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Forward Simone Fontecchio is listed as probable with ankle soreness.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But next week might be greener, because rain on the plain is probable Saturday and Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While scientists caution that more research is needed, the findings are a promising step forward for treatment.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Life of public service At 38 years old, Metayer had by all accounts a promising and bright future in public service.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
William Atherton’s Jerry Hathaway—the money-hungry mad king behind Project Crossbow—is unfortunately medium plausible.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier reports said the wedding would take place on June 13 — seemingly plausible because 13 is Swift’s favorite number.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wear them casually with tennis shoes and a tank top, or dress them up with heeled sandals and a pretty cardigan.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The film, in his telling, asks whether Maspalomas itself was Vicente’s coming out or just a prettier kind of hiding.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Making the record even more impressive was the revelation in the post-competition weighing of Wilkins’ discus to verify the record that the implement was actually two ounces heavier than the required 4 pounds, 6 ounces weight, a fact that cost Wilkins additional inches, probably feet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Berea College, in Kentucky, is probably the most well known of these institutions.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Few details have been released, but Miami Fire told CBS News Miami that crews were called to the corner of 9th Street and South Miami Avenue in Brickell after getting reports of a possible overdose of a 20-year-old man.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After the flight crew allegedly requested an onboard doctor, a physician-passenger advised that due to the severity of the burns and their proximity to her genitals, AC should be transported to an urgent care facility as soon as possible, the complaint says.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Aged 33, the Belgian still has plenty of years ahead of him but in Friday night’s semi-final against PSG, Navarro showed the future is bright in that position for the Spanish club.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The verdant burst is always welcome after a dreary winter, and the bright, fresh flavors of spring vegetables are like a breath of fresh air on the table, too.—
Becky Krystal,
Washington Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Similar allegations against Roberts-Smith were found credible in a civil court case in 2023 when a judge rejected his claims that newspaper articles defamed him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The city should preserve a minimum buffer and design a plan with credible spending adjustments rather than abandoning the framework.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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