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
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Most likely, plenty of that has held up.
—Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Yet, the directive’s influence will likely stretch far beyond the purview of the GSA.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
With a 3-1 series lead after a historic comeback in game 4 of the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks are likely on their way to their first championship in more than 50 years.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Most likely, plenty of that has held up.
—Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Adverb
The couple's guest list reportedly exceeds 1,000 people, many of whom will likely be the couple's famous friends, including the Haim sisters.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Yet, the directive’s influence will likely stretch far beyond the purview of the GSA.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Patrick Mahomes looks probable to return for Week 1 in Kansas City, with reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III now in tow at running back.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
-
He was listed as probable on Thursday’s injury report ahead of Game 2.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
One by one, an announcer began calling up the women whose play had marked the tournament - its top goal scorer, its most promising player.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
-
That is why some of the city’s most promising ideas involve encouraging investment while preserving character.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The recurring worry was that the technology can be confidently wrong, handing over a clean, plausible answer that happens to be mistaken.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
That sounds plausible to Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Yeah, that seems pretty spot on.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
The first quarter scoring started six minutes in after a pretty goal from Ryan McCarthy.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Adverb
-
That’s probably the biggest takeaway from Thursday’s interaction.—
Nick Harris
June 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
-
Sudden cuts tend to backfire, leaving you with the very symptoms fatigue, headaches, irritability that probably sent you reaching for caffeine in the first place.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hunters often lit blazing fires, which disoriented and frightened the elk, and as many animals as possible were killed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
The case initially iwas nvestigated as a possible drowning.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Just use Dubhe and Merak, the two bright stars in the front edge of the pot of the Big Dipper, opposite the handle, as pointer stars to Polaris.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2026
-
Initial crowds were eager to watch the twisty conspiracy thriller on the biggest and brightest screens, with premium large formats representing a mighty 48% of grosses.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
To be credible requires actually incorporating climate into strategy and operations.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
12 June 2026
-
Accounting for individual source bias and achieving consensus on facts across credible sources is important.—
Jennifer Best,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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