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
The difference is that the players are unlikely to have the public on their side in these talks because of payroll disparity–see the Dodgers.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The architecture is unlikely and illogical.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The depth of Deborah and Ava’s unlikely bond led the show, in its home stretch, to what many viewers considered its best episode.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
But Mamdani's newest Commission of Government Efficiency marks an unlikely alignment between the two.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The architecture is unlikely and illogical.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The depth of Deborah and Ava’s unlikely bond led the show, in its home stretch, to what many viewers considered its best episode.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
But Mamdani's newest Commission of Government Efficiency marks an unlikely alignment between the two.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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There is some irony in that Donachie also coaches Barcelona’s Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, for whom a permanent move to the Camp Nou now looks doubtful after his England team-mate’s arrival.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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McClure, of course, would love to see Steyer take the top spot in that easy-win scenario against Hilton, though that seems doubtful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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This is also why single-member LLCs are of dubious value for asset protection purposes, unless they are owned by something like a trust that is unlikely to ever have a judgment creditor.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Homeowners may wonder why another large group — the many city and county residents who love Balboa Park — arguably benefited the most from the leverage Aguirre and Severson had on the city in their lawsuit exposing its shabby and legally dubious trash practices.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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While the veracity of those statements is, at best, questionable, the final entry in the saga of games going to space features Microsoft’s AR HoloLens technology.—
William Worrall,
Space.com,
30 May 2026
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Borg’s aggressive send of Adames was just one of the questionable decisions Borg made in his two months as San Francisco’s third-base coach.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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An odd couple—one a goblin squeezed into an improbable trench-coat onesie, a fedora, and high heels—promenades down a steep incline while other strollers come and go.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Turns out that was just highly improbable.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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