improbable

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-bəl 

-ˈpräb-bəl

: unlikely to be true or to occur

also : unlikely but real or true

improbability

(ˌ)im-ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

improbably

(ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-blē 

-ˈpräb-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• doubtful
• dubious
• far-fetched
• flimsy
• questionable
• unapt
• unlikely

Examples of improbable in a Sentence

The team made an improbable comeback.

it seems improbable that the two writers never met since they traveled in the same social circles

Recent Examples on the Web

But the show’s potential for improbable magic is all there, too. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Japanese production company King Records has achieved something close to that improbable scenario with the innovative musical anime feature Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle, which the company says is the world’s first fully interactive theatrical film. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025

Then Maryland fell to No. 8 Michigan State in late February at the buzzer on an improbable half-court heave. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2025

Most of the fans at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia rooted for Saint Peter’s, but North Carolina won, 69-49, ending the Peacocks’ improbable March. —Tim Casey, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin improbabilis, from in- + probabilis probable

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for improbable

• probable

Kids Definition

improbable

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-bəl 

: not probable : unlikely to be true or to occur

improbability

(ˌ)im-ˌpräb-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

improbably

(ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-blē 

adverb