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
Companies from Amazon to airlines have announced fuel surcharges to deal with the soaring costs, and many of those fees are unlikely to revert to pre-war levels.
—
Rob Wile, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
With the score deadlocked at 1, just 10 minutes remaining in Thursday evening’s Teal Rising Cup match between the KC Current and Corinthians, an unlikely hero emerged.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The Epstein scandal continues to be at the center of most conversations these days, and that’s unlikely to change until the public knows exactly what was in those documents.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
Though the two-week cease-fire announced last night may reopen the strait, prices are unlikely to rebound immediately.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Rob Wile, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
With the score deadlocked at 1, just 10 minutes remaining in Thursday evening’s Teal Rising Cup match between the KC Current and Corinthians, an unlikely hero emerged.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The Epstein scandal continues to be at the center of most conversations these days, and that’s unlikely to change until the public knows exactly what was in those documents.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
Though the two-week cease-fire announced last night may reopen the strait, prices are unlikely to rebound immediately.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
-
Some analysts are doubtful that the United States can restore normal shipping through force alone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
That’s highly doubtful, for a couple of reasons.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But ousting Powell would be legally dubious, Dan Urman, director of the law and public policy minor at Northeastern University, told CBS News.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Economists Mariana Mazzucato and Rosie Collington argue that consultants can, at best, give dubious guidance, and at worst, exacerbate government and private sector dysfunction.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jokic was listed as questionable with an injured right wrist, but entered the finale having played in 64 games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Injury report As for Sunday’s regular-season finale, Nikola Jovic (ankle) and Dru Smith (foot) remain out, with Norman Powell (groin) upgraded to questionable after missing Friday night’s road loss to the Wizards.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rose, at age 45 trying to become the second-oldest Masters champion behind Jack Nicklaus (46) in 1986, made a most improbable birdie with a shot out of the trees to a foot on the seventh.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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All the major statistical titles have been decided, barring the most mathematically improbable events of all-time happening Sunday.—
Tim Reynolds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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