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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unlikely
Until that happens, a UL standard for plug-in solar is unlikely to go anywhere.
—
Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
As Nicky points out in the first movie, nobody else looks like Blake Lively, so the idea that there was a third sibling who spent decades under the radar feels unlikely.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Ukrainian officials have also noted that the deal does not refer to any debt obligations for Kyiv, meaning profits are unlikely to go toward paying the U.S. back for its previous financial support for the country in its war with Russia, according to Svyrydenko.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025
The company declined to detail what those changes might be, and comments from the state senator sponsoring one of the bills, recently reported by Politico, suggests that regulation of the hemp industry is unlikely to be approved before this year’s session expires.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
As Nicky points out in the first movie, nobody else looks like Blake Lively, so the idea that there was a third sibling who spent decades under the radar feels unlikely.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Ukrainian officials have also noted that the deal does not refer to any debt obligations for Kyiv, meaning profits are unlikely to go toward paying the U.S. back for its previous financial support for the country in its war with Russia, according to Svyrydenko.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025
The company declined to detail what those changes might be, and comments from the state senator sponsoring one of the bills, recently reported by Politico, suggests that regulation of the hemp industry is unlikely to be approved before this year’s session expires.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
-
The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
28 Apr. 2025
-
As for Tatum, he is listed as doubtful ahead of Game 3.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Mary’s fixation on commemorating James’ dubious talents.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 May 2025
-
Together, these studies indicate that boys may be especially sensitive to the quality of early caregiving—an argument to both increase social support for families and resist dubious assumptions that boys do not require substantial affectionate nurturing.—
Joshua Coleman,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The surprise run that the Atlanta Braves made to the 2021 World Series is one of the more improbable ones in recent memory.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Faced with a shot from behind a tree, don’t try to do the improbable.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Or couldn’t, thanks in part to questionable player usage by coach Jim Hiller.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
The deportation of Venezuelan men to a hellish mega-prison in El Salvador, on the questionable suspicion of gang affiliations, based on the presence of tattoos: flowers, a soccer logo, an autism-awareness ribbon.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share