as in odds
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another
the probability of flipping a coin and getting heads 50 times in a row is not good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 probabilities
Oncologists think in probabilities and protocols.
—
Amber Nigam, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Some passes, like Snoqualmie, have a 60% chance of receiving more than 8 inches of snow, with areas above 2,000 feet in the Cascades and Olympics seeing over 40% probabilities.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Statistical models have shown this scenario could occur with probabilities ranging from 10 to 28 percent depending on candidate consolidation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s extremely unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving only a miniscule chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
For what quantum mechanics actually supplies is the probabilities of measurement outcomes.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Like other participants, the Mantic AI had to answer 60 questions by assigning probabilities to certain outcomes.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Amber Nigam, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Some passes, like Snoqualmie, have a 60% chance of receiving more than 8 inches of snow, with areas above 2,000 feet in the Cascades and Olympics seeing over 40% probabilities.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Statistical models have shown this scenario could occur with probabilities ranging from 10 to 28 percent depending on candidate consolidation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s extremely unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving only a miniscule chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
For what quantum mechanics actually supplies is the probabilities of measurement outcomes.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Like other participants, the Mantic AI had to answer 60 questions by assigning probabilities to certain outcomes.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probabilities
Noun
-
Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Your 7th House of Devotion lights up as the emotional Moon enters Aries, bringing chances to clarify expectations with someone important in your life.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All of which helps set the stage for Lana Ferguson’s Business Sunday stellar cover story, which spotlights how one corner of Northeast Texas has become an epicenter of the possibilities of lithium production, and some of the challenges therein.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Presently, the United States and Israel are doing the right thing in militarily ending all possibilities that Iran will be able to continue weaponizing uranium and manufacturing long-range ballistic missiles.—
Bill Keane,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probabilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probabilities. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
