UNLIKELY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

unlikely

adjective

ˌən-ˈlī-klē

Definition of unlikely

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 unlikely Accordingly, the Chiefs and Araiza are unlikely to get another chance anytime soon. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 What’s more, even as they are defined by death, bogs are also springboards for unusual and unlikely life-forms that extend our understanding of biology—from acid-flinging mosses to amphibian-eating plants. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Opposition parties allege the deletions disproportionately affect Muslims and other minorities, who are unlikely to support the Hindu nationalist ruling party, allegations the commission and the BJP reject. — CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 October is full of unlikely heroes, and Halpin had only four homers in 83 games this season. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlikely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely

Adjective

Whether growth alone can actually solve the federal debt is doubtful.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Both stocks have rallied in 2026, with Dell up more than 350% and HPE soaring 185%, but analysts at the bank are doubtful the gains can be sustained much longer.

— Davis Giangiulio,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubtful

Adjective

If Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is to be believed, America will soon gain the dubious distinction of joining the only four countries on the globe that carry out executions in public.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Publicly available information from the Pike case, for instance, suggests that the drug may have been of dubious quality and extravasated during administration by Tennessee prison employees.

— Dr. Jacob Appel, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dubious

Adjective

Instead, Nick Sirianni gifted Jacksonville a live return, setting up an improbable walk-off win.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Seven months removed from their improbable appearance in February’s Super Bowl, the New England Patriots looked anything but super.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of improbable

Browse Nearby Words

unlikeliness

unlikely

unlikeness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unlikely

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes