as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Younger rocks in the region are unlikely to contain dinosaur remains, the release states, because the region had become a shallow sea by then.
—
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 May 2026
No, there won’t be a palace coup in the Kremlin anytime soon, and there’s unlikely to be a grassroots revolution either.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026
The odds are unlikely that a Republican candidate will win that race, as the state has become increasingly blue in recent years.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The budget proposal that will be released by Lee on Friday is unlikely to address the longer-term deficit.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 May 2026
No, there won’t be a palace coup in the Kremlin anytime soon, and there’s unlikely to be a grassroots revolution either.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026
The odds are unlikely that a Republican candidate will win that race, as the state has become increasingly blue in recent years.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The budget proposal that will be released by Lee on Friday is unlikely to address the longer-term deficit.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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On the injury front, Vanderbilt was officially scratched before the game with his pinky finger dislocation after being listed as doubtful.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
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Cooper was steady most of the series saying Hedman was doubtful for this round.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Lepoutre said Chapiron’s project is inspired by real cases in France involving young women who set themselves up as informal practitioners, offering discounted Botox and injections with dubious products.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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The administration, though, is gearing up to unleash a slew of other levies under the auspices of a different law that many experts see as less legally dubious than the 10% tariff and the ones the Supreme Court reversed.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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This injury seemed less serious, with the Knicks listing Anunoby as questionable to play in both Games 3 and 4 before he was ruled out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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With Díaz’s face bleeding profusely, Perry took advantage of Díaz’s questionable physical condition.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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And Weaver ended the inning by getting Anthony Volpe to ground into a forceout, preserving the Mets’ two-run lead in improbable fashion.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
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This improbable double comeback bout united two of the most important fighters from MMA's past two decades.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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