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
This unlikely crew bands together for a zany mission full of hijinks and false starts.
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Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Langer’s unlikely 30-foot putt for birdie capped a thrilling, down to the wire season-ending tournament.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
They're paired up as roommates and forge an unlikely friendship, but after an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Glinda and Elphaba go down two starkly different paths.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
While Vance's departure also offers DeWine an opportunity to alleviate a bottleneck at the top of Ohio Republicans' political pecking order, where Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost are preparing to face off for governor in 2026, that appears unlikely.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Langer’s unlikely 30-foot putt for birdie capped a thrilling, down to the wire season-ending tournament.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
They're paired up as roommates and forge an unlikely friendship, but after an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Glinda and Elphaba go down two starkly different paths.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
While Vance's departure also offers DeWine an opportunity to alleviate a bottleneck at the top of Ohio Republicans' political pecking order, where Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost are preparing to face off for governor in 2026, that appears unlikely.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Brooks is officially doubtful to return with what is being called a knee injury.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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And the people around him, ecstatic around this choice, the people, the close advisers -- although there were many doubtful as to whether this is a pick that’s going to be confirmed.ABC News, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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When dubious tips are fed into the deluge of leads submitted to authorities, according to the law professor, that could squander finite police resources spent vetting the information.Emma Bowman, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
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In one case, the Los Angeles Times embellished details about the Mary Celeste for dramatic effect, changing the captain’s name and turning the real-life mystery into a dubious myth.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The New York Red Bulls have made an improbable run to the MLS Cup.Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 Dec. 2024
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Frazier ran for a 2-point conversion in the eighth overtime after Georgia pulled off an improbable fourth-quarter comeback, giving the Bulldogs a 44-42 victory over Georgia Tech on a Friday night that stretched into Saturday morning.Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The industry’s knowledge base remains alarmingly shallow, leading to questionable valuations and incomplete business cases.Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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The political left, especially George Soros, have worked for racial divide by pushing very questionable theories of victimhood.Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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