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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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
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McClure, of course, would love to see Steyer take the top spot in that easy-win scenario against Hilton, though that seems doubtful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Even at the height of his fame, there were dubious aspects of his personal life — often self-seeded to sustain his enigma — that poked hellified holes in his impermeability as an entertainer.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer, often touted as a viable Democratic presidential nominee, has always offered a helping hand to major corporations, even when the benefits to her constituents are dubious.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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While the veracity of those statements is, at best, questionable, the final entry in the saga of games going to space features Microsoft’s AR HoloLens technology.—
William Worrall,
Space.com,
30 May 2026
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Borg’s aggressive send of Adames was just one of the questionable decisions Borg made in his two months as San Francisco’s third-base coach.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
An odd couple—one a goblin squeezed into an improbable trench-coat onesie, a fedora, and high heels—promenades down a steep incline while other strollers come and go.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Turns out that was just highly improbable.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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