as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
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Recent Examples of unlikely
There is a whole offseason between now and training camp, but ball screens involving any of the three are unlikely to be especially useful because of their similar sizes, likely resulting in similar defenders guarding them.
—
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Still, many in the pro-vaccine community long ago wrote Kennedy off, and this shift is unlikely to win him much favor.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
About 80 of the world’s almonds are produced in California, so their price is unlikely to be affected.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Lawmakers and regulators in the state are working to fix the crisis and stabilize the market, but this threat is unlikely to disappear.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Still, many in the pro-vaccine community long ago wrote Kennedy off, and this shift is unlikely to win him much favor.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
About 80 of the world’s almonds are produced in California, so their price is unlikely to be affected.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Lawmakers and regulators in the state are working to fix the crisis and stabilize the market, but this threat is unlikely to disappear.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Jamal Murray’s injury Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is doubtful due to right hamstring imflammation after missing the past five games.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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While Carvana has posted upside earnings surprises in the past, the investor was doubtful that will be repeated.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In his second term, the president has fewer people around him who try to keep dubious sources away.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Doctors prescribe it to ease symptoms of testosterone deficiency — among them weight gain, muscle loss and depression — but dubious clinics also sell the therapy as a cure-all for a crisis of masculinity.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Trump signs executive order to expand 'clean' coal, but there's no such thing But the likelihood that the U.S. will return to a heavy reliance on coal is improbable, given the current energy infrastructure, emerging technologies and global trends, energy experts told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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In admittedly improbable circumstances, the side finishing 11th could qualify (this would require, among other things, Villa to win the Champions League, Spurs or Manchester United to win the Europa League, and Chelsea to win the Conference League).—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wiggins was listed as questionable on the injury report before being upgraded to available.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
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This Club name has been hit hard by tariff fallout, including a questionable probe by Chinese regulators.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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