chance 1 of 3

noun

ˈchan(t)s How to pronounce chance (audio)
Definition of chancenext
1
as in luck
the uncertain course of events rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

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3
as in probability
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

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4
as in venture
a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chance

2 of 3

adjective

as in accidental
happening by chance a chance advantage that I immediately recognized and made full use of

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chance

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to risk
to take a chance on I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

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2
as in to happen
to take place there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland

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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 chance
Noun
That rule gave plaintiffs a chance to sue again, and Talwani on Thursday night issued a 14-day restraining order against implementation of the measure. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 All told, the chances of being awarded a new NIH grant has dropped to 13%. — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
Rain chances return to the region late Sunday into Monday morning, the weather service said. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 For the newest campaign, Belle stars in a series of New York scenes — ranging from late-night taxi rides to chance sidewalk encounters to phone booth conversations — in which the right pair of shoes has the power to change everything. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
  1. luck
  2. opportunity
  3. probability
  4. venture
  5. accidental
  6. risk
  7. happen
  8. circumstance
Noun
  • If Dublin has any luck left for underdogs, Belichick could certainly use some.
    — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Games that involve equal parts strategy and luck are ideal for groups that meet regularly.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • According to the investigation, the Clippers broke league rules by initiating off-court income opportunities and facilitating endorsement agreements between Leonard and four companies that also did business with the team.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Women in music have so many more opportunities and are taken so seriously and are headlining festivals and doing all of this stuff.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of opportunity
Noun
  • In one simulation, the AI initially assigned a 72% probability that a nearby vessel was simply passing through.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the probability of the Fed standing pat rose from nearly 36% to almost 47%.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of probability
Noun
  • Japan’s Inpex, for example, formed a joint venture to expand its LNG investment in Australia’s Northern Territory.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • His parents fostered the venture to instill responsibility and the value of time.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of venture
Adjective
  • This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In all three cases, authorities have appeared to suggest their deaths were accidental.
    — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of accidental
Verb
  • When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of risk
Verb
  • But the extremely rapid pace here also raises concern about what happens if, or when, the boom starts to dissipate.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • What happened next changed the young United States, forcing people to question the line between law — which protected slavery — and justice, which demanded resistance to that law.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of happen
Noun
  • Other complicating factors can include things like child custody, income, housing and other circumstances that can make domestic survivors feel stuck.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Biz2Credit also considers the circumstances, particularly for seasonal businesses or companies seeking financing to smooth out short-term cash flow irregularities.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of circumstance

Phrases Containing chance

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champs
chance
chanced
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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chance

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