unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
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
With a Labour government entrenched until at least 2029, that’s unlikely to happen anytime, but the big brands are also big planners, and always thinking about the success of the next generation.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
That means consumers and businesses are unlikely to see any relief on loan rates in the near term, although economists are penciling in cuts later in the year, with the majority forecasting a reduction at the Fed's June 18 meeting.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
And, China won’t back down Xi Jinping is unlikely to back down.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While Trump has said a number of countries are clamoring for deals with the United States to reduce their tariff bills, China is unlikely to be the only U.S. trading partner to retaliate.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
That means consumers and businesses are unlikely to see any relief on loan rates in the near term, although economists are penciling in cuts later in the year, with the majority forecasting a reduction at the Fed's June 18 meeting.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
And, China won’t back down Xi Jinping is unlikely to back down.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While Trump has said a number of countries are clamoring for deals with the United States to reduce their tariff bills, China is unlikely to be the only U.S. trading partner to retaliate.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 17 Apr. 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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