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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

likely

2 of 2

adverb

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

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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
In both wars, external support has made sustained air and missile strike campaigns far less likely to result in political capitulation, or economic or military collapse. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 Without proper data access, such predictions are likely to fail, which in turn jeopardizes the entire process flow. — Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Adverb
If that is the case, Leo likely would not need further treatment, Lung and LaPook said. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 More calls traded than puts in Nebius and Iren, but in both, more calls were likely initiated by sellers than buyers, according to Cboe LiveVol data. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 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
  • With their season and pursuit of history on the line, the Boys in Blue are slated to send Tyler Glasnow to the mound against Milwaukee, which hasn't yet announced a probable starter.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The recent spate of probable Russian attacks in the Black Sea is now disrupting shipping carrying Ukraine’s latest harvest to the rest of Europe, with some cargo being rerouted overland or through the River Danube, Politico reported.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of probable
Adjective
  • This difference matters because promising materials must eventually be synthesized and processed into practical device structures.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • After a promising start to the potential game-tying drive in the extra frame, Tagovailoa would toss an interception to Baltimore All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to seal Atlanta's fate.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Yet that experience has helped drive the administration’s current efforts to achieve more plausible and narrowly defined goals.
    — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Given the sheer size of the federal government, that is more than plausible.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • At most, the emissions of plasma crashing into our atmosphere might paint the sky in pretty shades of green or pink.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This gift set, designed in collaboration with Brooklyn illustrator Phthalo Ruth, comes in watercolor plaid boxes that are almost too pretty to open.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • After all, Jonathan, who was probably alive for President Andrew Jackson's second inauguration in 1833, is still thriving.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But being an editor probably makes writing first drafts harder, or at least slower.
    — Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of probably
Adjective
  • The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The film team had to come up with a strategy to capture as much as possible without interfering with Schnell’s challenge.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The skies over England were bright with auroras on October 18, 1848, as the Sun was entering a more active phase in its solar cycle.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Skies of bright October blue pave the way for not-so-distant November gray.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • In response, the ambassadors of France and Spain made public statements emphasizing the importance of a credible electoral process and the need for Haiti’s next president to have integrity.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This narrower range of options could make its nuclear threats less credible in a conflict over an ally’s security.
    — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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