chance 1 of 3

1
2
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in probability
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in venture
a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chance

2 of 3

adjective

chance

3 of 3

verb

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 chance
Noun
The hurricane center is also tracking a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic with a low chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm anytime soon. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025 Interventions like these have given Beijing a chance for the first time in its history to forge deeper partnerships than those of the United States. Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Thunderstorms chances drop on Thursday through the weekend (chances at 5% or below). Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Storm chances increase throughout the week, with a possibility of heavy rain in some areas and a blowing dust advisory in effect for parts of Pinal County and southeast Phoenix. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • The second and third matches are due to be played on Friday and Sunday, but the luck of the Irish may desert them with those grey skies in Dublin.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Leavitt isn't the only Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and MomTok veteran to try her luck on the ballroom this season.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • According to San Diego’s Acting Chief Innovation Officer Alexander Hempton, Mayor Gloria is urging his team to use this moment of financial strain as an opportunity to propose new ideas and work in new ways without sacrificing effectiveness.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The schools that win will signal where education is heading — and where the opportunities lie.
    Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An investor may need to adjust future cash flows if the studio relies on loot boxes in regions where probability disclosures are trending toward mandatory.
    Dmitrii Khasanov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Magayi, who grew up in Nairobi’s informal settlements, launched the venture after her daughter was injured by a traditional charcoal stove.
    Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Siri has been making accidental phone calls for us since 2012.
    Gelila, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Warner died unexpectedly in July from an accidental drowning in Costa Rica.
    Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Regional authorities and international monitoring stations will issue alerts if tsunami risks develop as a result of these earthquakes.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Bringing luggage during an evacuation can slow the process, potentially risking the lives of passengers still on the plane, and bags can damage emergency exit slides.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Numerous studies have demonstrated that shots using mRNA technology, including Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, are safe and effective, and serious side effects have happened in extremely rare cases.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • An end-user can simply command the AI to do a cleanup, wait and see what happens, and if needed, go ahead and repeat the declaration doggedly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This game has the power to transport you to the many, and mostly dramatic, circumstances that refugees have to go through.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Lopez described his mother, aunts, and older female cousins as elegant women whose high taste belied their humble circumstances.
    Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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