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
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 May 2026
More of that is likely Thursday.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 May 2026
Those colleagues have likely not heard the last word on the potential benefits of deregulation.
—Matt Peterson,steve Liesman, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
That election is likely to take weeks, which could prove too slow for Burnham to enter a leadership contest if Streeting moves quickly.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 May 2026
More of that is likely Thursday.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Adverb
His certainty comes after Lisa Ribacoff-Mooney, a polygraph expert and the owner of Interpoint Investigative Services, told RadarOnline that Guthrie is likely dead and she will probably never be found, because authorities just don’t know where to look.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 May 2026
Those colleagues have likely not heard the last word on the potential benefits of deregulation.
—Matt Peterson,steve Liesman, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
In total, eight cases are confirmed, two are probable and one is inconclusive.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
On Monday night before the matchup against Atlanta, Fudd appeared on the Wings’ injury report listed as probable with a right knee injury, but she was downgraded to out an hour before Tuesday’s game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
For members of the state’s business community, that was a promising focus, one that closely aligned with their own goals.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
The three hitters who drove in runs that inning, Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages and Kyle Tucker, had been trending upward at the plate of late, a promising sign for an offense overdue for a hot streak.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Totally possible, totally plausible.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Who is murdered, why and Clare’s entanglement in the whole deal unfold over the remainder of the novel, featuring much tighter and more plausible plotting than your average suspense story.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
This idyllic stretch of western New Jersey is dotted with postcard-pretty towns that blend Americana charm with elevated local eats, funky cultural gems, and a refreshing lack of pretension.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
-
There’s Staud’s pretty poplin style that looks effortless with sleek strappy sandals and a floppy sun hat, or Merlette’s artful wrap dress that strikes a subtle statement on date nights and post-work cocktail hours alike.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
11 May 2026
Adverb
-
Some portion of eligible people are probably discouraged from applying at all, believing the lottery system to be rigged or pointless.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
The Chargers’ last game was a playoff loss to Vrabel’s Patriots, so nothing short of an edict from the NFL probably would have stopped the franchise’s social media team from referencing the Vrabel-Russini controversy.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Closing arguments are on Thursday, and a decision from an advisory jury and the judge overseeing the case, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, are possible next week.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Because a bright sky helps subdue Venus's glare, this is a good time to inspect the planet telescopically, though its gibbous disk remains rather small and approximately seven-eighths illuminated.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
The trick is not to chase every bright idea.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
For boards and executive teams, the focus is on developing clear insight and practical capabilities that support timely, credible responses when reputational challenges emerge.—
John M. Bremen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
McFarlane has won just one of his five matches, the semi-final against Leeds, but did also earn credible 1-1 draws at Manchester City (in January) and Liverpool.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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