likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
Oil prices have surged nearly 40% since the war in Iran began, as prices have soared across the economic spectrum, reducing the likelihood of a Fed interest rate cut.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
Each patch contains a relatively low level of each ingredient, which could technically reduce the likelihood of side effects like nausea and rashes.
—Helena Kudiabor, SELF, 13 Mar. 2026
This excludes them from the protections of the Amber system and reduces the likelihood of them being found.
—Itay Ravid, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
Each patch contains a relatively low level of each ingredient, which could technically reduce the likelihood of side effects like nausea and rashes.
—Helena Kudiabor, SELF, 13 Mar. 2026
This excludes them from the protections of the Amber system and reduces the likelihood of them being found.
—Itay Ravid, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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