1
as in luck
the uncertain course of events
rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in probabilities
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 gambles
a risky undertaking
it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in risks
to take a chance on
I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in happens
to take place
there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chances
Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
This graphic shows the forecast rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The timing of the storms is late afternoon into the evening and overnight, with the best chances coming after sunset.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The chances of seeing a mountain lion are slim, but people can encounter them.
—Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Devote your precious attention to taking chances in relationships, too.
—Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Those officials — Fed presidents Beth Hammack of Cleveland, Lorie Logan of Dallas and Neel Kashkari of Minneapolis — said in statements detailing their dissents that the Fed is not being forthcoming about the growing chances of a rate hike.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Houston rain chances are lower Thursday, but a slow-moving storm system could bring a risk of heavy downpours later this weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The rainfall chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Given his Game 1 heroics, having him out there might have made the Sabres’ slim comeback chances slightly better.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Early Apollo probabilistic assessments put loss-of-crew (LOC) chances around 1 in 10 for lunar missions.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
While rain chances linger and skies may stay mostly cloudy, temperatures will rebound into the mid-70s.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The model was used to determine the chances that each match would experience dangerous heat conditions.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
This graphic shows the forecast rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The timing of the storms is late afternoon into the evening and overnight, with the best chances coming after sunset.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The chances of seeing a mountain lion are slim, but people can encounter them.
—Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Devote your precious attention to taking chances in relationships, too.
—Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Those officials — Fed presidents Beth Hammack of Cleveland, Lorie Logan of Dallas and Neel Kashkari of Minneapolis — said in statements detailing their dissents that the Fed is not being forthcoming about the growing chances of a rate hike.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Houston rain chances are lower Thursday, but a slow-moving storm system could bring a risk of heavy downpours later this weekend.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
Verb
Looking ahead, Friday is still expected to be rain-free but chances increase on Saturday and Sunday.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The rainfall chances in South Florida over the next seven days.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
—Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Given his Game 1 heroics, having him out there might have made the Sabres’ slim comeback chances slightly better.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Early Apollo probabilistic assessments put loss-of-crew (LOC) chances around 1 in 10 for lunar missions.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
While rain chances linger and skies may stay mostly cloudy, temperatures will rebound into the mid-70s.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
-
The bottom line Getting more eyes on your job listing isn't about luck or waiting for the right candidate to stumble across your post.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
The other says luck, crush and confusion.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Constant said families should be able to look several years ahead and understand whether their children are likely to have transfer opportunities available.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
There are many different views on homosexuality in Mexico, shaped by class differences, by access to education, by different opportunities to observe and question the world.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
During summer 2024, the IRS also rejected 28,000 claims based on probabilities of fraud rather than actual examination, so many may have been improperly rejected, said Erin Collins, independent National Taxpayer Advocate, in a blog.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
In reality, most professionals focus far more on probabilities and risk management than on forecasting exact outcomes.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Most of his big gambles, on things such as the MGM studio and library, which led to the creation of the Turner Classic Movies channel, paid off handsomely.—
Michael J. Socolow,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
-
No fiction writer could dream up a character with so many high-stakes gambles that usually paid off, whose life took so many turns and who was present at so many key late-20th-century moments in various fields.—
Tim Gray,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Reliance on external infrastructure therefore risks leaving African countries dependent not only on foreign technology providers, but on foreign legal frameworks governing sensitive health information.—
Francisca Mutapi,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
-
All of which risks tipping the delicate balance into chaos and gridlock, critics warn.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The drama happens, and then life goes on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Given the circumstances for the game against Arsenal last time out, a defensive wing-back system was understandable, but sticking with the same tactics against Newcastle was another reminder of how incognisant Nuno can be in his approach.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Although Djena wasn’t literally trapped in the Toures’ home, she was trapped by her circumstances.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Rostam ventures through the slipstream playing piano, mandolin, celeste, Minimoog, and Mellotron, as well as about half a dozen other instruments — capping it off with a guest solo on the saz, a Turkish string instrument.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
The president’s annual financial disclosure, a broader filing that includes business assets and income, such as golf resorts and crypto ventures, is expected in the coming months.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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