as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
As Buffy’s bafoonish brother, Dave Sheridan played an unlikely killer (though Doofy ends up being far less goofy than originally expected).
—
Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Some might call Dullinger an unlikely candidate.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
But the lessons from his split with Middleton are not the only reason William is unlikely to ever divorce Kate.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Oct. 2025
Brandon Woodruff could be hitting free agency since his mutual option is unlikely to be picked up.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Some might call Dullinger an unlikely candidate.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
But the lessons from his split with Middleton are not the only reason William is unlikely to ever divorce Kate.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Oct. 2025
Brandon Woodruff could be hitting free agency since his mutual option is unlikely to be picked up.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
-
However, tight ends Dallas Payne (hand fracture) and Justin Cayenne (leg injury) are doubtful.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
-
He was not listed as questionable, doubtful or out for the game.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Nothing can be done, at this point, about the dubious premise that mainstream Jews and gentiles in 2020s Los Angeles occupy separate social worlds.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Trump’s leniency toward dubious white-collar figures also extends well beyond the crypto realm.—
Evan Hughes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Investors cheered the improbable rise of the amateur heavy metal drummer and hard-line conservative, who’s expected to increase defense spending, cut taxes, and revive Japan’s nuclear power industry.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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In Season 1, the pair forged an improbable connection despite their different religious backgrounds.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Adding to the lore, Springer was hit by a pitch in his right knee late during Game 5 in Seattle, a Mariners victory that put them up 3-2 and was questionable for the rest of the series.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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These are winnable games if everyone executes on the Carolina side, but Young being questionable for both (potentially) makes the outlook kind of up in the air.—
Mike Kaye
October 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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