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
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such severe renal failure is rare, but potentially life-threatening, and more likely when the renal system is already under duress during intense exercise, like running an ultra.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Wolverines coach Riki Smith told the Sentinel on Thursday that his school would likely jump at the chance to participate in independent division football playoffs.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
Someone in the locker room is likely to be an Olympic gold medalist.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such severe renal failure is rare, but potentially life-threatening, and more likely when the renal system is already under duress during intense exercise, like running an ultra.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Air cargo will likely be reserved by many shippers to handle supply chain shocks rather than routine shipments.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Wolverines coach Riki Smith told the Sentinel on Thursday that his school would likely jump at the chance to participate in independent division football playoffs.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the team’s morning skate on Wednesday that Bennett will return to the lineup for their home game against the Boston Bruins and that Lundell is probable for the game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Decoding refers to how a model selects its output from a range of probable answers.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One particularly promising application involves tracking when the ball crosses the sideline during kickoffs and punts.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Often, even the most promising young prospects disappear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Thor star imagines all the terrifyingly plausible ways the AI assistant could kill him, before being won over by its offer to book him a massage.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Well yeah, but that sort of thing can also be the hallmark of foreign regime change, as has been the case time and again around the world, usually with a straight face and plausible deniability.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But any decent designer can make a pretty book cover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
This oversized bucket bag comes in a pretty olive green, black, and sandy beige, too.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Some are strong sellers that are being made available at sizeable discounts, while others are older medications, have inexpensive generic alternatives or are being offered at prices that are probably comparable to what drugmakers receive from insurers.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Most are passionate about food and/or art, probably the two leading draws for anyone visiting San Miguel.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The obvious first step is to gather as much light as possible.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Feb. 2026
-
According to her mother, the group held onto her as long as possible, which gave rescuers time to respond.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Statues of prominent citizens line the route, many missing heads or limbs, while religious and civic buildings once painted in bright colors now appear butter-yellow.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the loss, the future is bright for the Patriots and but first there's the reaction from after the Super Bowl.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
My research—including an interview with a poultry science professor—led me to the conclusion that sodium phosphate, commonly used to make chickens extra juicy, could be a credible culprit for the soapy profile.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Feb. 2026
-
But that’s that’s what our culture does to credible artists.—
Preezy Brown,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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