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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of likely
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
A little over a tenth of an inch of rain is likely.
—
Alyssa Andrews,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Hannah Harris Green,
STAT,
26 June 2026
Companies that simply absorb it into cutting headcount and calling it efficiency will likely wonder later why morale didn't improve along with the margins.
—
Shaz Khan,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
American retirees are likely to outlive their savings in 41 states, according to a new report.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
A little over a tenth of an inch of rain is likely.
—
Alyssa Andrews,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Adverb
Notably, this order does not provide specific protections for patients with opioid use disorder without an existing prescription to treat it — the same patients who would likely be experiencing severe withdrawal upon intake in jail.
—
Hannah Harris Green,
STAT,
26 June 2026
Companies that simply absorb it into cutting headcount and calling it efficiency will likely wonder later why morale didn't improve along with the margins.
—
Shaz Khan,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
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Testing delays have also meant that some probable Ebola victims died without being confirmed as having the disease.
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As of May 27, there have been a total of 13 cases of hantavirus -- 11 confirmed and two probable -- and three deaths, of which two have been confirmed, according to the WHO.
Adjective
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Yimvert Berroteran, a promising young talent, was among the hundreds of people who died, the Venezuelan national team and the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) said Friday.
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The most promising thing about Japan’s approach, ahead of their meeting with Brazil, is that the Selecao’s clear position of weakness is at full-back.
Adjective
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These vessels exploit outdated international laws and enforcement gaps, employing tactics like AIS blackouts and false flags for plausible deniability.
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Two separate earthquakes is plausible.
Adjective
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The cinnamon sugar option offers a pretty shade (basically my lips but better) plus a super yummy scent.
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Who’d have guessed that such a practical pouch could be so pretty?
Adverb
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The stadium appeared to be about half-filled with Ecuadorian fans, probably because of the large contingent of Ecuador natives who live in the area.
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Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Adjective
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Visit Big Bear said the decision to move forward with the event was not made lightly and that organizers were working with the fireworks provider to reduce the loudest booms where possible.
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CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.
Adjective
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But plenty of these bright red and crisp white shirts belong to Panama fans.
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The prospects for Chip’s Seeds continue to be bright, too.
Adjective
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If the balance sheet is sound, management incentives are improving and a credible catalyst exists, the uncertainty may resolve more favorably than the valuation assumes.
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The news story said that suspects are demanding $6 million, a ransom investigators reportedly believe to be credible.
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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