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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unlikely
Diamantis’ second trial is unlikely to take much time to complete.
—
Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
The scheduling of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid (first leg this past Wednesday, second leg on Tuesday) is unlikely to help them.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Now parents to three children (Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 23), the pair admitted their relationship once seemed unlikely, even to them.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
The funniest part of all of this, though, is that Kiffin may have gotten this whole Vanity Fair idea from a rather unlikely source.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
The scheduling of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid (first leg this past Wednesday, second leg on Tuesday) is unlikely to help them.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Now parents to three children (Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 23), the pair admitted their relationship once seemed unlikely, even to them.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
The funniest part of all of this, though, is that Kiffin may have gotten this whole Vanity Fair idea from a rather unlikely source.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
-
The Sixers initially listed him as doubtful, then upgraded him to questionable less than 90 minutes before game time.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
One explanation is simply that investors are doubtful of new highs in stocks and hedging against risks like the Iran war and crude oil.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Americans exported violence in the form of counterterrorism and police trainings to as many as eighty-five countries, from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to Niger to the Philippines, as well as blueprints for dubious legal frameworks to justify their actions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
That dubious honor belongs to the period between March 1973 and March 1981, when prices rose a whopping 104%, according to calculations from CNN’s Alicia Wallace.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said before tipoff Sunday that the team was prepared to play with or without Wembanyama, who was listed as questionable going into the game.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Preemptive strikes are a very questionable tactic unless the evidence of necessity is overwhelming.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Down 3-1 after dropping the first three games, little has gone right for the Penguins against their most bitter rival, and advancing will require an improbable and historic comeback.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The purest example are the rooftop concerts, a rather improbable attempt to bring a little bit of Beatles-style magic to Chicago’s Clark Street, where The Weiner’s Circle is parked.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
