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
Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 June 2025
Tusk's government has been seeking to reverse judicial reforms made by the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, but current President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has blocked its efforts - a pattern Nawrocki is likely to continue.
—Anna Magdalena Lubowicka, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
The reason they’re connected: The term limits proposal would need to go to Miami voters for final approval, meaning that question would likely be on the November ballot.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
After Prime Minister Schoof’s resignation on Tuesday, a general election is likely to be called as the current government will struggle to function with a minority in the House of Representatives.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 June 2025
Tusk's government has been seeking to reverse judicial reforms made by the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, but current President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has blocked its efforts - a pattern Nawrocki is likely to continue.
—Anna Magdalena Lubowicka, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Adverb
The rescissions bill will likely be House Republican leadership’s top priority, particularly as the rules surrounding rescissions install a deadline of 45 consecutive days for Congress to pass the bill.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
The reason they’re connected: The term limits proposal would need to go to Miami voters for final approval, meaning that question would likely be on the November ballot.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
How many cases are there in Oklahoma? Oklahoma held steady Friday with a total of 14 confirmed and three probable cases.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
-
Wind gusts of up to 50 mph and penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) are probable.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
New studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, in the last few days offer promising findings for both pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions, including the impact of diet and exercise.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
-
No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Most of these magnetic fields have a plausible origin story.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
5 June 2025
-
Using a plausible cover story, the red team passed front-desk security, loitered in stairwells, and accessed upper levels with lower foot traffic.—
Jochen Schwenk,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
There’s an oppressive summer heat wave and he’s confined to his apartment, with the occasional visit of his middle-aged nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter) and his pretty socialite girlfriend, Lisa (Grace Kelly).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Naked Sunday’s sunscreen replaces my foundation with a radiant finish that’s too pretty to cover up, and Luna Nectar’s serum gives a boost of antioxidant protection.—
Elizabeth Siegel,
Allure,
1 June 2025
Adverb
-
Wickham says, over the past year, she's probably spent 200 hours planning.—
Mia Venkat,
NPR,
31 May 2025
-
Valdez authored one of his finest starts as an Astro in what is probably his final season with the team.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
If the patient is a child, the conversation will involve the family or caregiver when possible.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
-
The betting is on when another tightening move is possible.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships - especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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For the second time time in less than two weeks, Detroit was forced to send one its brightest young starting pitchers to the injured list.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Today’s leadership challenge is to build businesses that are not only efficient and competitive in the short term, but credible, trustworthy, and resilient over time.—
Mary Johnstone-Louis,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Led by Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, Indigenous communities have mobilized not just around identity, but around a structured, credible, and serious ballot.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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