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
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Feb. 2026
Cheng said although Kwok's actions did not directly endanger national security, his acts could make his daughter less likely to return to Hong Kong.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
If this occurs, the plumber will likely suggest replacing the water heater entirely.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
Most intriguingly, previous test flights have involved Shendong releasing small mysterious objects — likely satellites — while in orbit, which have been tracked by the US Space Force and even amateur astronomers.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Feb. 2026
Cheng said although Kwok's actions did not directly endanger national security, his acts could make his daughter less likely to return to Hong Kong.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Cuts are likely coming to Metropolitan and others, and the federal government is pushing hard for an agreement.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
If this occurs, the plumber will likely suggest replacing the water heater entirely.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
The World Health Organization has classified it as a probable carcinogen.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Backup center Jaxson Hayes (right ankle sprain) is probable for Thursday’s game in Phoenix.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bugbears of this season — wasting promising chances (though Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce deserves credit for many of those) and some vulnerability to counter-attacks — remained.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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One particularly promising trend is barbecue joints baking their own bread, like Goldee’s BBQ in Fort Worth and Smokemade Meats + Eats in Orlando.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s perfectly plausible—Earth has different types of electrical discharges as well, with the lightning of thunderstorms being very different from the glow of Saint Elmo’s fire, Aplin notes.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Feb. 2026
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The piece in Vox points out some issues with Citrini’s predictions—all the money pumped into AI has to pay at least a few salaries, maybe this time the government will regulate something—but the story is plausible enough to have really spooked a noticeable chunk of the tech industry.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Best maternity underwear Top over-bump maternity underwear These over-bump briefs are pretty and offer maximum coverage.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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That is why new observations of the ice giant by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) offer much more than pretty pictures.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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African wildcats didn’t evolve around water and probably would be just as wary of a bathtub as our domestic kitties.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But Pon thinks states will probably tax contributions from employers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Those signals are used to get as close as possible to victims, when probe poles are then used to locate them in the snow, Rice said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Sun Princess has 30 restaurants and bars, so describing each in detail isn’t possible here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This delectable tropical scent achieves both, transporting me to a sunnier, brighter place with each light layer of its coconut and mango notes.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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Its nearly 100-year-old grandeur is complemented by bright, contemporary updates, such as a white kitchen and chic light fixtures.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Persons of interest were interviewed, but no credible suspects had emerged, and the missing persons cold case was referred to the coroner for an inquest.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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Whether Washington rebuilds a coherent, credible Africa strategy — one grounded in trade certainty, institutional capacity, and mutual respect — will determine whether Jackson’s vision endures or becomes a relic of a different political age.—
Alexanderia Baker-Haidara,
semafor.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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