probable

adjective

ˈprä-bə-bəl How to pronounce probable (audio)
Definition of probablenext
1
as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable the counselor could find no probable reason for the girl's bizarre actions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in possible
having a high chance of occurring a probable outcome of the price increase will be lower consumption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 probable Intervene Intervene means several signals—or one sufficiently consequential event—indicate probable deterioration or unacceptable outcomes. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The standard is very low, and that is 'more probable than not' that this child may have been put in an unreasonable risk of harm. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Legal experts say the more probable complication for someone in deportation proceedings would be related to accessing their account. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026 The data does not include probable cases, which could make the case count even higher. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probable
  1. plausible
  2. possible
  3. credible
  4. likely
  5. inevitable
  6. potential
Adjective
  • The idea Trump has floated — attacking Cuba after Iran – has also become less plausible as the unpopular war in the Middle East drags into a fifth month with the US clearly pressing Tehran for a deal ahead of midterm elections.
    — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, other security specialists detected a similar threat, from scammers who prompted LLMs to hallucinate plausible URLs for existing software packages.
    — David Berreby, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • Muso’s model of proactive community healthcare is showing what becomes possible when care moves closer to families.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2026
  • One possible trigger for bitcoin to break out of its unusually calm trading range could come from the bond market.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Another question is whether this sentencing met the standards of credible transitional justice.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • While the White House hoped to remove Díaz-Canel and the Castro family from power, the push has been complicated by the lack of a credible opposition since revolutionary brothers Fidel and Raúl overthrew the island’s military dictatorship in 1959.
    — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of credible
Adjective
  • It's been nearly a week since heavy rains from a likely derecho pummeled the Midwest and displaced roughly 1,000 people across Indiana.
    — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Though Bucky Irving is likely to dominate early-down and goal-line work, Kenny G is sure to tally sound production weekly in PPR leagues.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of likely
Adjective
  • When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine intentionally sank its last major ship rather than accept an inevitable takeover by Russia's large Black Sea fleet.
    — Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Any peace process will face inevitable setbacks and sabotage attempts, and so the parties must be committed to talks to get them over the line.
    — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of inevitable
Adjective
  • The district has released a set of maps, outlining the potential changes.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The term refers to when tobacco companies in the 1990s were forced to pay billions of dollars for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products, and subsequently saw their power and influence dramatically diminished.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of potential

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probability
probable
probably
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Cite this Entry

“Probable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probable. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of probable for Spanish Speakers

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