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 There is a possibility of severe weather along the Front Range from Denver reaching south to the border with New Mexico. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Now the Giants feature a core of young guys up front not merely loaded with talent, but possibilities. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026 For years, Spain supported a process that included the possibility of an independence referendum for the Western Sahara. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Plenty of possibilities Acquiring many middling starting pitchers would also carry the cost of their remaining salary for this season. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possibility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possibility

Noun

Covid-19 wasn’t immediately recognized as a disease with airborne transmission with the potential to spread beyond the 6-foot social distancing measure, especially in places with poor ventilation or around activities with heavy breathing.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Schools on every level are already busy assembling coaches, players and recruits — assessing name, image and likeness potential as well as schedules and logistics — to get a head start.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of potential

Noun

Families who registered for the event ahead of time went there with their children and got a backpack with all school supplies that were grade appropriate.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
There was also the postponement of the event in New Orleans, aiming for a new fall date.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Historical cloud records suggest western Egypt and eastern Libya have some of the best prospects anywhere along the eclipse path, according to Eclipsophile.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The 21-year-old Clark, one of the top prospects in baseball, then added the RBI double in the eighth and another double in the ninth.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of prospect

Noun

At the time of his arrest authorities also determined that Taele was a suspect in a robbery case being investigated by the El Segundo Police Department.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
The complainant, who was not identified in the initial case report, said Celeste was attacked by a dog and dragged through the woods.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 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

The one-year football scheduling alliance gave the Beavers and Cougars a temporary football home while also outlining contingencies for a deeper partnership, including the possibility of a future merger.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Workers restored Braham's plant while other utilities relied on manual controls or contingency procedures.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of contingency

Browse Nearby Words

possibilities

possibility

possible

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Possibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possibility. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of possibility

noun

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