likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
Moreover, the absence of a unified package management system for MCP servers complicates the installation and maintenance process, increasing the likelihood of deploying outdated or misconfigured versions.
—David G.w. Birch, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2025
The group noted that although capsulotomy was effective in treating OCD, the likelihood of adverse events was high, affecting ten of the patients who had undergone the procedure.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Exposure to long-term pollution accelerates the buildup of plaque in the arteries around the heart, increases the chances of heart failure and arrhythmias, and increases the likelihood of strokes.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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David G.w. Birch, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2025
The group noted that although capsulotomy was effective in treating OCD, the likelihood of adverse events was high, affecting ten of the patients who had undergone the procedure.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Exposure to long-term pollution accelerates the buildup of plaque in the arteries around the heart, increases the chances of heart failure and arrhythmias, and increases the likelihood of strokes.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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