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
The basic facts of these assassinations are unlikely to change: Lee Harvey Oswald fatally shot JFK; Sirhan Sirhan fatally shot Robert F. Kennedy; and James Earl Ray fatally shot MLK.
—
Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Robert lasting with the White Sox for the entire upcoming season seems unlikely.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
But a trade always seemed unlikely as Indiana president of basketball Kelly Krauskopf drafted Mitchell No. 2 in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has remained steadfast in her support of the 5-foot-8 guard.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 31 Jan. 2025
However, because the female and male sharks have been without contact for more than a decade, this seems unlikely, Barrick said.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
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Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Robert lasting with the White Sox for the entire upcoming season seems unlikely.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
But a trade always seemed unlikely as Indiana president of basketball Kelly Krauskopf drafted Mitchell No. 2 in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has remained steadfast in her support of the 5-foot-8 guard.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 31 Jan. 2025
However, because the female and male sharks have been without contact for more than a decade, this seems unlikely, Barrick said.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 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 4 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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