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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The Wall Street Journal highlighted warnings from steel industry executives that production outages could become more likely if local power grids are overwhelmed by demand. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026 So before execution begins, identify the most likely points of disruption and decide in advance how the plan will respond. — Desiree’ Stapleton, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Adverb
An acquisition would likely involved a partnership with a soundstage operator since the complex is a cultural landmark. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 The skill of deep thinking will likely become rarer and rarer in a world where much of the population uses AI to avoid writing. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 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
  • Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lowe’s matchup is arguably the best for hitting a home run on Saturday’s MLB slate, given the sample sizes of the probable pitchers.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • After injuries derailed her promising elite career and the sport’s abusive culture robbed her of her joy, Ohashi reached superstar status while rediscovering her love of the sport with UCLA.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Although practical quantum computers remain years away, the approach marks a promising step toward that goal, according to representatives at ETH Zurich.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Effective scenario planning involves targeted questions, thorough analysis of plausible and extreme futures, and mandatory cross-functional collaboration, often leveraging AI and comprehensive data.
    — Jim DeLoach, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The present-day context is in many ways unique because the balance of power in Lebanon has shifted in ways that make Hezbollah’s disarmament – and a historic Lebanese settlement with Israel – more politically plausible than at any point in decades.
    — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • The prettiest man in football landed a nasty elbow to Ireland’s Dara O’ Shea and was justifiably handed a red card.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • These pretty vine decals can liven up the look of tiles or a shower door.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • The concept would probably face opposition from Altadenans who have rallied by the hundreds to oppose building permits for multiple homes on individual parcels.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • But that’s probably more a 2027 story than a 2026 one, as both governments look to see the path oil prices take, noted Kaneva.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of probably
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • The idea behind the lunch- and afternoon tea–only restaurant is to waste as little as possible.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The White Sox are winning, and the future is suddenly bright.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • The bright and airy Hotel San Luis Obispo (Hotel SLO,) which calls itself a modern urban resort, boasts The Ox and Anchor restaurant which has earned a Michelin Key.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • The theme of the Platner campaign became don’t believe these women until Monday, when a detailed and credible accusation of rape confounded the excuse makers beyond their considerable power to slime women who had stories to tell about Platner.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
  • The original Type 093 and the improved Type 093A gave the People’s Liberation Army Navy a more credible attack-submarine capability than earlier Chinese designs.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
Definition of credible

Browse Nearby Words

likelihood
likely
liken
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on likely

Nglish: Translation of likely for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All