unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
Synonyms
Examples of unlikely in a Sentence
He was an unlikely candidate for the position.
A big city seems like an unlikely place to find wildlife.
I received support from an unlikely ally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fans responded with mixed emotions Sunday night at the Super Bowl when an anti-hate campaign got an unlikely spokesperson.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Khamenei's firm stance suggests that talks under Trump's terms are unlikely, while Tehran and Washington continue their standoff.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Musk is unlikely to hold a more charitable view of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the Labor Department whose mission is to protect employees from hazardous working conditions and to hold employers who put them at risk accountable.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The pair became unlikely friends and allies, with Abraham showing up regularly to support Adra’s activism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
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Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Khamenei's firm stance suggests that talks under Trump's terms are unlikely, while Tehran and Washington continue their standoff.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Musk is unlikely to hold a more charitable view of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the Labor Department whose mission is to protect employees from hazardous working conditions and to hold employers who put them at risk accountable.
—Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The pair became unlikely friends and allies, with Abraham showing up regularly to support Adra’s activism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely
Dictionary Entries Near unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē
ˈən-
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely story
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
an unlikely place for fishing
unlikeliness
noun
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