likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
The vote marks the first time administrators have joined a strike alongside other LAUSD unions and aligns all three major labor groups in a coordinated potential walkout, raising the likelihood of widespread disruptions in the nation’s second-largest school district.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
There are billions of galaxies in the universe and each has billions of stars, so the likelihood life developed elsewhere is fairly high, according to University of Michigan Astronomy Professor Edwin Bergin, who teaches about looking for life elsewhere.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
There are billions of galaxies in the universe and each has billions of stars, so the likelihood life developed elsewhere is fairly high, according to University of Michigan Astronomy Professor Edwin Bergin, who teaches about looking for life elsewhere.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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