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 2023 marine heat wave gave us a way to identify the corals more likely to survive. — Steven Vollmer, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

But in arguments that spanned two hours on Tuesday, the court's conservative majority appeared likely to rule in favor of the Catholic preschools. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Adverb

With Collins likely leaving politics at 73, Axios writes that Republicans may not seriously contest the seat anytime soon. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

Those changes, if any, likely would be made at the local level. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026