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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likely
Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Hoping for their return to the market in a meaningful way doesn’t seem likely.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025
But much of the chatter was also about his new look: Elordi showcased a serious set of sideburns, likely grown for his next part as the brooding anti-hero Heathcliff in director Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likely 
Adjective
Together, Vance's actions amounted to an astonishing intervention in European politics that was swiftly condemned by top officials, including Germany's conservative leader and likely next chancellor.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Hoping for their return to the market in a meaningful way doesn’t seem likely.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
Adverb
But more natural gas generation will likely be built later in the decade on the back of Trump’s policies, Hoos said.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025
But much of the chatter was also about his new look: Elordi showcased a serious set of sideburns, likely grown for his next part as the brooding anti-hero Heathcliff in director Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
But that is the move that appears most probable, according to two people familiar with the tenor of the team’s discussions.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
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Officials began spraying brush along evacuation routes last year and added probable encampment spots to the list in January, all of which should now be less likely to ignite for the next several months.—
Blake Nelson,
The Mercury News,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This year marks the 12th consecutive partnership between the Black List and Elwes to support a promising writer with independent sensibilities with in-person mentorship and exposure to the indie film world.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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But his promising debut was cut short by a minor injury in the team’s 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.—
Issy Ronald and Jacob Lev,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
During the medical mystery's January premiere episode, executive producer Craig Sweeny even found a plausible reason for Watson to take off his shirt after crashing on the office couch at Pittsburgh's Holmes Clinic.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
-
This hypothetical deal may make enough sense to be plausible.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Drake alludes to the rap beef heard around the world — and at the Super Bowl — with pretty standard-issue Drake talk.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
-
This kitchen island, outfitted with deep drawers and polished brass hardware, is pretty and practical.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Well yeah, ending diversity programs probably means less diversity Meta's push to diversify its workforce actually seems to have worked, as its own statistics show.—
Nathan Bomey,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
That is probably the best reason for a director – to feel helpless anger and injustice – to make a film.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Costco, Aldi, Walmart and Whole Foods did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment regarding possible egg limits for customers.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The unions further contend that the offer fails to consider possible adverse consequences to the government's ability to function; sets an arbitrarily short deadline; and is pretext for removing and replacing workers on an ideological basis, among other things.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The pressure, the this, the that, bright lights, nothing.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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In this case, bright, sensitive 10-year-old Chuang (Wang Shang) feels unwanted in multiple households.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
None of these laptops can compete with a gaming rig with a discrete GPU, but the Yoga puts up credible numbers for casual gaming and video streaming.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
10 Feb. 2025
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Without it, the legal system ceases to function as a credible arbiter of accountability.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near likely
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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