chances 1 of 2

Definition of chancesnext
plural of chance
1
2
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in probabilities
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in gambles
a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chances
Noun
The Blackhawks, who are well out of the playoff picture, went scoreless on three power-play chances while the Flyers were 0 for 4 on the power play. CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 The teams traded baskets and chances most of the night. Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Your 11th House of Groups welcomes the intuitive Moon, offering you multiple chances to reconnect with pals or coordinate plans that serve everyone. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026 The worst record is within reach, and Brooklyn’s schedule gives it plenty of chances to either lock in position or give it away. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 That decision could clear a path for Cleaver to win reelection or dramatically increase Republicans’ chances of forcing him out of office. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026 Thursday is mostly dry with low rain chances in the afternoon. Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026 Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 Months dragged on, but eventually her lawyer advised her to take the plea deal being offered and plead guilty to dozens of offenses, rather than taking her chances in court with the more than 200 charges with which prosecutors were threatening to stick her. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Rain chances return by midweek, beginning late Tuesday. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026 The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days. Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026 Rain chances in the Miami area are 20% Friday and Saturday, building to 30% Saturday night. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 Rain chances for the next few days are minimal. Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026 Golden likes the Gators chances Friday against whoever emerges from Wednesday’s play-in game. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026 After a night of severe storms, Louisville will see winter weather return with cold temperatures and snow chances March 16, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Mar. 2026 If Evans wasn’t optimistic about their Super Bowl chances, what’s that going to mean for Mayfield? The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
  • Reed had some luck in the low post, but the Blue Devils also started to double him, slowing his production.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Some states have had far more lottery luck than others.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Cuba is open for opportunities.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Everyone from Goldman Sachs to Apollo have been exploring private credit opportunities over the past few years.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Essentially, this treats historical probabilities as the baseline and raises them based on the current oil, inflation and interest rate environment.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Oncologists think in probabilities and protocols.
    Amber Nigam, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • She’s seen what the medium is still capable of, with the success of wild gambles like Everything Everywhere.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Second-round picks always have been relative gambles and have only lost value in recent years as fewer players declare for each draft.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As such, the bill risks further making college sports transparency in the Volunteer State an increasingly voluntary proposition.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Seeing those two stalwarts move on next year at the latest was likely always to have been the plan at Anfield, but generating savings sooner has taken on greater importance as something else risks unfolding.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
  • What happens if the launch is delayed?
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One pivotal source emerged under sordid circumstances.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Broward County detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
    David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Which means, the party all too regularly ventures on to Horan’s house.
    Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Other culinary ventures include Red Smoke Barbeque, which opened in 2010 and is temporarily closed amid Monroe Street renovations.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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