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
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Recent Examples of probabilities
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
Moderate to high probabilities support snowfall totals over 6 inches in parts of the Upper Midwest, including areas near Lake Superior, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 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
Models reduce language to numerical probabilities.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The quantum probabilities bouncing around in your lap at the subatomic level.
—Bill Burnett, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
One explanation is that the probabilities assigned to these shots miss some important details.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Because in the end, poker’s about tracking probabilities and making decisions with incomplete information, much like early-stage investing.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Moderate to high probabilities support snowfall totals over 6 inches in parts of the Upper Midwest, including areas near Lake Superior, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 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
Models reduce language to numerical probabilities.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The quantum probabilities bouncing around in your lap at the subatomic level.
—Bill Burnett, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
One explanation is that the probabilities assigned to these shots miss some important details.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Because in the end, poker’s about tracking probabilities and making decisions with incomplete information, much like early-stage investing.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probabilities
Noun
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But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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The loss to the Hawkeyes hurt those chances, but beating Ohio State, which is fighting to host the first two rounds of the tournament at home, is a step in the right direction.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Now back practicing with the Sharks since he was recalled from the Barracuda on Wednesday, Leddy’s playing career is somewhat in limbo, with a return to the AHL, a move to another team, or remaining on San Jose’s NHL roster all possibilities in the coming days and weeks.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Explore all the possibilities with our expert tips, advice, and analysis.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probabilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probabilities. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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