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
Fed funds futures are pricing in a 100% likelihood of at least a quarter-point decrease today, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Quilts should be washed in front-loading machines only to reduce the likelihood of damage.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
By integrating security knowledge and practices into the software team itself, risks can be addressed earlier, saving time, reducing costs and lowering the likelihood of a breach.
—Tannu Jiwnani, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Quilts should be washed in front-loading machines only to reduce the likelihood of damage.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
By integrating security knowledge and practices into the software team itself, risks can be addressed earlier, saving time, reducing costs and lowering the likelihood of a breach.
—Tannu Jiwnani, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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