likely 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlī-klē How to pronounce likely (audio)
Definition of likelynext
1
as in probable
having a high chance of occurring if you don't graduate from high school, your likely fate is a low-paying job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable we didn't find her excuse a very likely story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pretty
very pleasing to look at a likely gal such as yourself should have no trouble getting a date

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

likely

2 of 2

adverb

as in probably
by reasonable assumption the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 likely
Adjective
The rainfall is likely to produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Flash flooding was likely in low-lying and urban areas, the hurricane center said. — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Its short fangs can likely pierce human skin, but the spider is not known to bite humans and is considered harmless. — Melissa Petruzzello, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 And since their father, Richard Williams, largely kept them out of junior tournaments, that interdependent learning likely proved especially potent. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
  1. probable
  2. promising
  3. plausible
  4. pretty
  5. probably
  6. possible
  7. bright
  8. credible
Adjective
  • That description equally well applies to our probable timeline on this planet, the way things are progressing.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The more probable future is a heterogeneous computing environment where classical high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum processors collaborate.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • Transplants of muscle stem cells are a promising avenue for research, having distinct advantages over other tissues in their ability to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and limitations on rapid growth.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The goalkeeping department has probably been downgraded, considering the highly promising Trafford left, and was replaced by Geronimo Rulli, a solid backup option at 34 years of age.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Lauren, at least, seemed like the more plausible repeat customer.
    — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When generating text, large language models pick each next word from a set of plausible candidates.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • This is an analog way to get friends together without putting the pressure on yourself to cook an entire meal or set the prettiest tablescape.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This pretty fixture works hard as a table lamp, candle warmer, and decor piece, offering a smoke-free way to add ambient light and fragrance to your space without the fire hazard.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • There are no Cubs players involved in the TikTok series, the Cubs told me, which is unfortunate since Crow-Armstrong has acting in his DNA — his mother and father are both actors — and probably would be at least as good as Damon.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Tom Even non-football fans can probably guess who this one is about.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of probably
Adjective
  • Sunlight Place the plant in a sunny window, south-facing if possible, and give it four to six hours of sunlight each day.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • While independence allows central bankers to make decisions without short-term political interference from presidents wanting to juice the economy, credible external scrutiny helps provide the democratic legitimacy for that independence.
    — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The difference is that EB-1A rewards objective distinction, while NIW rewards a persuasive national-interest case tied to a credible plan.
    — Lorraine D'Alessio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of credible

Browse Nearby Words

likelihood
likely
liken
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Cite this Entry

“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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