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
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
While severe weather doesn't look likely, a few rumbles are expected as the storms roll by.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
The sources told Reuters operations at the refinery would likely remain offline for several days.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
Another simulator sounds likely, especially if Retro Rewind continues to sell, but the Blood Pact boys would really like their next endeavor to return to the multiplayer or co-op space.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
While severe weather doesn't look likely, a few rumbles are expected as the storms roll by.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
No single policy will likely work to blunt the economic shocks from the war across the bloc's myriad markets from Romania to Ireland.
—Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
The sources told Reuters operations at the refinery would likely remain offline for several days.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Adebayo upgraded In the wake of being held out in Charlotte due to tightness in his right calf, Adebayo on Wednesday was listed as probable to return Thursday night against the Lakers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Quero and Lee are the probable duo to start the season.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Helen is said to have sacrificed a promising acting career to star in her husband’s films and raise their kids, adding an interesting wrinkle to Ula’s dilemma about breaking the news of her next gig to her parents.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The most promising should be the white-collar grouping of professional and business services employment, which has been showing signs of improvement after three years of job shedding.—
Conor Sen,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, in attempting to give Grace an even bigger, badder, darker villain to face this time, the film overshoots its mark, raising the specter of domestic violence in ways that feel just slightly too plausible to fit with the film’s otherwise cartoonish gore.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The complaint against Halligan is plausible on its own merits.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But David Pastrnak responded with his second goal of the game on a pretty play off the rush.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Nuptials—both real and cinematic—aside, The Drama press tour has given Zendaya the opportunity to enjoy some of her prettiest and most youthful looks in recent years.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
There was recognition by probably everyone at Davos, commercial and government, that quantum security is not just a nice to have.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
If fans had been told before Thursday's game that Texas A&M basketball would score 24 points less than its season average, many probably would have thought its trip to the NCAA Tournament would be brief.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Supporters of the referendum have expressed excitement over the amenities that would come with the possible Frontier Sports Complex activity center while opponents have expressed concerns over a potential financial burden the referendum would impose.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Often called the Butterfly Nebula or the Bug Nebula, this object displays a striking structure involving two bright gas lobes extending in opposite directions, separated by a thick, dusty ring—known as a torus—around the central star.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Penny is a truly bright light in the classroom, bringing a genuine joy and curiosity to her daily practice.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Himes asked if there was credible evidence pointing to foreign interference in that election.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
If the person has made a specific and credible threat of violence, notify law enforcement.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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