1
as in probable
having a high chance of occurring
if you don't graduate from high school, your likely fate is a low-paying job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable
we didn't find her excuse a very likely story
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pretty
very pleasing to look at
a likely gal such as yourself should have no trouble getting a date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in probably
by reasonable assumption
the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of likely
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
This way the letter writer can ensure the donation is more likely to get used and bring other people joy.
—Susan Steade, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Angel Escamilla Garcia, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
The Kings hadn’t played since their double-overtime win over the Miami Heat on Monday, leaving three days between games, which likely would have meant at least one rigorous practice with Brown at the helm.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likely 
Adjective
The more likely scenario would be keeping Bregman at third base, but that -- or an Arenado trade -- would force Rafael Devers to move across the diamond.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
This way the letter writer can ensure the donation is more likely to get used and bring other people joy.
—Susan Steade, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Adverb
And Trump’s overreach will likely be met with pushback here in the U.S.
Trump’s economic clout is powerful, and anti-immigrant sentiment has a foothold in Mexico.
—Angel Escamilla Garcia, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
The Kings hadn’t played since their double-overtime win over the Miami Heat on Monday, leaving three days between games, which likely would have meant at least one rigorous practice with Brown at the helm.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
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Pitt’s cause of death was revealed as sharp and blunt force injuries with probable strangulation, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner, The Ventura County Star reported.Charna Flam, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
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In a season in which a Clemson-Alabama CFP rematch seemed probable, this shocker temporarily shook up that inevitability.Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Schmidt was the most promising addition of the bunch as a budget Oliver Ekman-Larsson replacement.Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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The right winger is widely-regarded to be soccer's most promising young talent, and has already been garnished with the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award as Europe's best player under the age of 21.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Nevertheless, Biden’s obdurate unwillingness to step aside for younger, more plausible Democratic candidates resulted in the reëmergence of his nemesis.David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
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DeGuerin showed Morales just how plausible an accidental shooting would be with this type of gun.Morgan Canty, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, Amazon’s fashion department is packed with pretty winter dresses that don’t sacrifice comfort for style.Isabel Garcia, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
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Trust us, Globes producers: This kind of blather is far more likely to make viewers turn the channel than watching pretty people walk past other pretty people for a few seconds.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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Antar said that with the granite base, the sculpture probably weighs closer to 90 pounds.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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The rest of us will probably have to keep our phone chargers for now.Allison Johnson, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Yellow dye 5 and red dye 40, otherwise known as tartrazine and allura red, respectively, have been linked to possible hyperactivity in children and cancer risk.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
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Implement security measures: Protect the recordings by saving them in a secure location and utilizing encryption where possible.Jason Foodman, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Maybe a pet knocked over your potted succulent plant or an outdoor succulent’s leaves were injured by bright sun, pests, or another issue.Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025
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Like most at-home teeth-whitening options, teeth-whitening pens contain an active ingredient to remove stains and neutralize tones for a whiter, brighter effect.Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Then create a framework for sharing these experiences in a way that positions me as a credible guide while staying authentic and relatable.Jodie Cook, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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That project would have let third-party fact checkers such as the Associated Press and Reuters, in addition to credible experts, comment on flagged articles in order to verify the content.Jonathan Vanian,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near likely
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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