as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
The three are unlikely to be the only candidates as the club look to make an appointment sooner rather than later — but not necessarily before Wolves’ next fixture against Chelsea on Saturday.
—
David Ornstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Down 4-2 in the seventh, Max Muncy homered, and in the top of the ninth, the unlikely Miguel Rojas, who wasn’t in the lineup until Game 6, tied it with a one-out homer against Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2025
But the issue is unlikely to go away given the unabating public interest.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Seems unlikely, though not impossible.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
David Ornstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Down 4-2 in the seventh, Max Muncy homered, and in the top of the ninth, the unlikely Miguel Rojas, who wasn’t in the lineup until Game 6, tied it with a one-out homer against Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2025
But the issue is unlikely to go away given the unabating public interest.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Seems unlikely, though not impossible.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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If at any point María Luisa hesitated, doubtful about the tastefulness of this colossus, those doubts vanished the moment a representative of the city council delivered a witty and audacious explanation of the arch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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On Thursday, the Dolphins are expected to be without safety Ashtyn Davis, who is doubtful with a quadriceps injury.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But all of that assumes that a putsch does succeed, and this is dubious.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Also, the father in the book is a screenwriter, opening the door for sharp commentary on Hollywood and its dubious attempts at on-screen representation.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Austin Reaves, who also missed Monday’s game, is listed as questionable, while LeBron James, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, and Gabe Vincent remain out.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The extent of the President's potential influence with New Yorkers in Cuomo's uphill battle with Mamdani is questionable.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Borțun learned of his improbable story several years later.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
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But Detroit’s improbable comeback remains incomplete.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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