chance 1 of 3

Definition of chancenext
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 policy was put in place in September 2023 to try to discourage clubs from purposely losing in order to improve their chances with the draft lottery. Mark Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Or just the chance to do fun stuff! Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
The question is whether Hollywood will learn from this pattern or leave these kinds of deep collaborations to chance rather than cultivating them over time, intentionally. Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 After midnight, rain chances ramp up to about 40% amid increasing clouds. Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance
Noun
  • Many would give the shirt off their back to have your luck in men.
    Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In the first five minutes, Leeds had several moments of threat down their left side, with Abbott actually doing well — albeit armed with a big chunk of luck — to deflect a Gabriel Gudmundsson cross over his own bar.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Job seekers in health care may have been able to find work, while opportunities in other sectors were more limited.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Maryland’s future should not be defined by higher costs, bigger government and shrinking opportunity.
    Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There’s also a 55% greater chance of obesity and a 40% higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The highest probability for fog looks to be along the Balcones Escarpment, with patchy fog also possible across the Coastal Plains and along the Interstate 35 corridor.
    Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Palantir and PayPal, appeared in the Epstein files, with the latest release showing correspondence between and about the two.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This new venture continues their mission of getting movies in front of the people who most want to see them.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These pressures are not accidental.
    Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Why This Moment Matters The timing of this shift isn’t accidental.
    Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Health risks The spike in marijuana use has led to some serious health harms, the Times wrote.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In Josh Safdie’s feverish ping-pong epic, Marty (Timothée Chalamet) breaks from his benefactor, pen tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary), risking everything to erase an old defeat.
    Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There is no shortage of debate happening in our modern world, including about issues that ignite our passions.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The allegations raised fresh questions about the circumstances of Navalny's 2024 death and about the origin of a highly unusual toxin.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The plane crashed into mountainous terrain in unknown circumstances, according to preliminary information, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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