POSSIBILITY Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

possibility

noun

ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of possibility

as in potential

something that can develop or become actual there's a possibility for violence in the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in event

something that might happen winning the championship is a real possibility for us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of possibility Mitchell also spoke of the tantalizing defensive possibilities with a roster featuring Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and himself. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026 Broomfield police are also looking into the possibility of this incident being connected to other vape shop thefts reported in recent months in the metro area. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The Cubs and Phillies are other possibilities, but columnist Michael Cunningham suggests Atlanta should feel pretty good about San Diego. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Executives suggested the possibility of opening stores beginning next year. — David Moin, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possibility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possibility

Noun

Instead, in each instance, Drury has prioritized maximizing the team’s short- or medium-term potential around star goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Rozell stressed the importance of integrated AI across departments, warning that isolated use—such as different teams employing various AI tools without sharing insights—limits its potential.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of potential

Noun

The 268 rooms are spread across a collection of 17th century townhouses connected to the 15th century Olof’s Chapel, now used for events.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
My goal is to analyze financial markets by taking a longer view of history, and to give broader context to recent events.

— Kelly Evans, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Significantly, Garcia-Roberts found, MLB itself has long known about the often brutal world surrounding its youngest prospects.

— Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026
The decline raises the prospect of an interest rate cut by the central bank at next week’s monetary policy committee meeting, the penultimate one for this year.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of prospect

Noun

In 2024 and 2025, 29,404 people were arrested in stalking cases, of which only 1,187 had court applications brought against them.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
José Dias Toffoli, who previously stepped down from overseeing the Banco Master case because of his links to Vorcaro, also refused to vote.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of case

Noun

Work commenced on the record three months after Drewchin welcomed the arrival of her first child, Nova, a period in which she was consumed with the reality and potentialities of being a new parent.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Takeovers are at once a timeless illustration of the volatility of crowds—perhaps especially adolescent crowds—and of the much newer potentialities unleashed by the internet a few decades ago.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Definition of potentiality

Noun

This can help prevent headline bias and force you to assess cash, other types of consideration, contingencies, timing, closing risk, post-close risks and personal obligations consistently.

— Mike McIsaac CPA, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The anxious contingency planning as voting gets underway has become a marker for how fraught democracy has become in the country that once stood as an example to the world.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of contingency

Browse Nearby Words

possibilities

possibility

possible

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Possibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possibility. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of possibility

noun

Example Sentences

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