unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē 
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely outcome
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
Examples of unlikely in a Sentence
He was an unlikely candidate for the position.
A big city seems like an unlikely place to find wildlife.
I received support from an unlikely ally.
Recent Examples on the Web
The state has argued that Black would be unconscious and unlikely to feel pain.
—
Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 30 July 2025
However, evidence suggests that consistently getting it right over the long term is extremely unlikely.
—Rory O'Hara, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Depending on the source, Texas currently has anywhere between 300 and 400 data centers currently in operation in the state, and the growth is unlikely to slow.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas, the two remaining veterans with full no-trade statuses, are also unlikely to be traded.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
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Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 30 July 2025
However, evidence suggests that consistently getting it right over the long term is extremely unlikely.
—Rory O'Hara, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Depending on the source, Texas currently has anywhere between 300 and 400 data centers currently in operation in the state, and the growth is unlikely to slow.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas, the two remaining veterans with full no-trade statuses, are also unlikely to be traded.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikely. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlikely
adjective
un·like·ly
ˌən-ˈlī-klē
ˈən-
1
: not likely : improbable
an unlikely story
2
: likely to fail : unpromising
an unlikely place for fishing
unlikeliness
noun
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