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
as in probably
by reasonable assumption
the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likely
Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Other likely to book up far in advance are farm-to-table spot Bramble & Hare, Tomahawk-slinging Steakhouse No. 316, elevated Mexican outpost Cozobi Fonda Fina and tapas restaurant Corrida, notable for its view of the surrounding Flatirons and an equally breathtaking Queso Asado.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
Jay King, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Carroll will likely spend this season learning behind Namdi Obiazor and Kaleb Elarms-Orr, who is also having a good camp, but Carroll should see plenty of playing time as the lead reserve in the linebacker room.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
Investment bank JPMorgan on Thursday warned that the tariffs are likely to push the U.S. and the world into a recession.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Other likely to book up far in advance are farm-to-table spot Bramble & Hare, Tomahawk-slinging Steakhouse No. 316, elevated Mexican outpost Cozobi Fonda Fina and tapas restaurant Corrida, notable for its view of the surrounding Flatirons and an equally breathtaking Queso Asado.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
Adverb
On one drive to the baseline past the smaller Tyus Jones, Brown likely would have risen for a dunk if entirely healthy.
—Jay King, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Carroll will likely spend this season learning behind Namdi Obiazor and Kaleb Elarms-Orr, who is also having a good camp, but Carroll should see plenty of playing time as the lead reserve in the linebacker room.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
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The presence of at least six US B-2 stealth bombers in the Indian Ocean and a second aircraft carrier in the Middle East only fueled speculation in Israel that a strike was not only possible, but increasingly probable.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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In Europe, projections showed a probable increase in Ambrosia—or ragweed pollen—also linked to rising temperatures.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One of the most promising applications is workforce assistance, particularly in industries facing labor shortages, such as healthcare.—
Melody Brue,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The bottom of the Jezero Crater – believed to have formed 3.9 billion years ago from a massive impact – is considered to be among the most promising areas on Mars to search for evidence of ancient life.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The commonalities begin with a propensity to juggle more projects, more or less simultaneously, than would seem humanly plausible.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
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New York University law professor emeritus Stephen Gillers sees this as plausible but unlikely.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Much like Grey’s, Pulse — which dropped its 10-episode first season on Thursday — focuses on two very pretty doctors (Willa Fitzgerald’s Danny Simms and Colin Woodell’s Xander Phillips) who become romantically entangled, complicating their jobs at a local hospital.—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
3 Apr. 2025
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The close-up view from here just wasn’t always pretty.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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In the present, the unexpected return of an old teammate sends Shauna spiraling in ways that should probably concern everyone.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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Unfortunately, probably none of them run Hollywood studios.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Council averaged 37 minutes per game and actually was on the floor for 92.5% of all possible minutes for the Bonnies, who finished the season with a 22-12 record.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2025
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Fans began speculating about a possible Thug album dropping later that night.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Both O’Mara and McMahon believe that Pickle has a bright future ahead.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Apr. 2025
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The trailer unfolded to the atmospheric music of Nine Inch Nails and overflows with atmospheric details — bright red bikes race down highways, slicing cop cars in half.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In my own experience, setting these higher standards—even before we were required to—positioned our brand as a credible leader and made compliance conversations much easier down the road.—
Natalie Dolphin,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Related Articles Since 2019, Lyst has become a credible source for the fashion industry on what’s trending with its quarterly brand and product rankings.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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