as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
The difference is that the players are unlikely to have the public on their side in these talks because of payroll disparity–see the Dodgers.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The architecture is unlikely and illogical.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The depth of Deborah and Ava’s unlikely bond led the show, in its home stretch, to what many viewers considered its best episode.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
But Mamdani's newest Commission of Government Efficiency marks an unlikely alignment between the two.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The architecture is unlikely and illogical.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The depth of Deborah and Ava’s unlikely bond led the show, in its home stretch, to what many viewers considered its best episode.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
But Mamdani's newest Commission of Government Efficiency marks an unlikely alignment between the two.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Public approval is doubtful as New Yorkers ratified this structure in 2014 and rejected an attempt to change it in 2021.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
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There is some irony in that Donachie also coaches Barcelona’s Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, for whom a permanent move to the Camp Nou now looks doubtful after his England team-mate’s arrival.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The stories behind each batch of Booker’s range from nebulous to dubious to some semblance of credibility.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
9 June 2026
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And while that big, round number is dubious, the essence isn’t.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The 27-year-old is known for his steadying presence and reliable defense in the midfield, and with questionable depth behind him, losing Adams to an injury or yellow card suspension could prove disastrous.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
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Using a specific set of situational conditions under which the detection system is effective is questionable, Chris Smith, one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, told Ars.—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Among the most delightful episodes of English-language biography is Boswell’s account of an improbable dinner party in the fateful year of 1776 that was attended by the hyper-radical Wilkes and the reactionary Samuel Johnson, who became and stayed friends.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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The upbeat outlook suggests Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan is making progress on a once-improbable turnaround.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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