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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of likely
Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
But such a large-scale operation was likely to face local opposition.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Richard Hall, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Lots of people will likely be having that reaction at two upcoming nonprofit events that will feature a selection of mouthwatering dishes prepped by some of the valley’s top chefs.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
That’s likely enough for the FOMC to move interest rates lower because interest rates are currently seen as relatively restrictive.
—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
But such a large-scale operation was likely to face local opposition.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Adverb
If proven to be true, those calls will likely grow louder.
—Richard Hall, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Lots of people will likely be having that reaction at two upcoming nonprofit events that will feature a selection of mouthwatering dishes prepped by some of the valley’s top chefs.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Simmons is listed as probable on the Ole Miss injury report.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Worthy’s probable absence should stand to elevate the role of receiver Tyquan Thornton, who joined Kansas City’s practice squad in mid-November.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With a combined score of 15, Leavitt is off to a promising start in the competition.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Then that data went to at least two or three judges for review, while all the most promising creams, tools, and polishes were passed out to Allure editors for testing.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With Israel striking Doha — the city the US and Israel chose to host negotiations with Hamas — the theory seems more plausible than ever.—
Hadley Gamble,
semafor.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Way thinks that a more plausible suspect in Venus’ demise is a form of ruinous volcanism.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His stat line wasn't pretty — 13-of-20 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and one interception — but his play late in the game is what captured everyone's attention.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
There’s really nothing pretty about it.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
That probably caught Giants fans off guard, but inside the Colts’ building?—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Those guys are minutes from each other, probably seeing each other on a weekly, daily basis.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The shift has profound implications in House districts across the country, seeping into Democratic primaries as a possible liability for more centrist members.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
New downloads of Weather are no longer possible on Wear OS 6 devices from third-party manufacturers, such as Samsung, OnePlus and others.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This week, a crescent moon will join, shining close to Jupiter before featuring in a rare close conjunction with Venus and bright star Regulus.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Even a half block away, the air smells sweet and bright, like seared shellfish, sharp vinegar, and the blistery green of sizzling herbs.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet the effect on credible persuasion of other Americans is statistically limited.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
During a federal hearing in New York, a witness told the judge more than four dozen women who prosecutors consider credible have come forward with allegations about the brothers.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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