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
Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Just last month, thieves made off with 60,000 pounds of walnuts from trailers in the Bronx’s Hunts Point distribution hub, likely to resell right back into the market.
—Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Asia-to-Europe or intra-Asia trade lanes often go through the strait, and vessels carrying cargo from other apparel manufacturing countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Myanmar are likely using the passage.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
But the new traffic data the railroads analyzed from all the major freight railroads convinced executives that more job growth is likely.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Just last month, thieves made off with 60,000 pounds of walnuts from trailers in the Bronx’s Hunts Point distribution hub, likely to resell right back into the market.
—Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Valerii was likely crushed by debris in the initial explosion.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Asia-to-Europe or intra-Asia trade lanes often go through the strait, and vessels carrying cargo from other apparel manufacturing countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Myanmar are likely using the passage.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
Beyond the decrepit hydro plant, the entire dam's spillway is too small to pass a probable maximum flood and upgrades could cost millions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The most probable candidate for the true author is, however, Shakespeare himself.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Against Newcastle, the freedom Eze had to roam was on an even bigger scale than the promising display in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City last week.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The robot is still in research and development on Earth right now, with proof-of-concept tests proving quite promising.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These systems generate plausible responses based on patterns in data, triggered by user input, not independent thought or intent.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One, which remains highly plausible, is Carlos Baleba.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the pretty blatant way that Manus redomiciled in Singapore, Beijing probably had to act to stop other Chinese founders from doing the same thing.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The hotel’s pretty-in-pink Spanish-Mediterranean façade has been a Southern California fixture for 100 years, since earning the moniker The Pink Lady.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
At this year's event, held at Pura Padel, Holland participated with other BERO higher-ups in a friendly tournament of padel, a racquet sport that's probably best described as a combination of squash and tennis.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The company has raced to buy as much computing power as possible, making $600 billion in spending commitments last year.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Determined to rise to the occasion and work out every possible kink, Daisy sets out to resolve conflicts between the stews and in the galley.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After being bossed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs in the Champions League quarter-final, Slot insisted the future remained bright at Liverpool.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists have documented that increasingly brighter nights are altering animal behavior, reproduction cycles and survival.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
YoshimiO, sharing fellow ’90s icon Flea’s recent interest in the instrument, turns in a credible trumpet line during the track’s shuffling, exuberant second half.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
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Hennepin County Judge Kristen Martilla found there was credible evidence that White physically abused and intimidated the two, warranting the extension of a temporary restraining order his ex-wife had obtained in December.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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