as in probability
the quality or state of being likely to occur
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 likelihood
Youth Use and Poisoning Risks Raise Concern Nicotine pouch use may increase the likelihood of transitioning to other tobacco products, said Jennifer Cofer, DrPH, executive director of the EndTobacco program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
—
Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
This increases the likelihood of additional upside follow-through in the coming weeks toward next major resistance in the $222-$232 zone, defined partly by the 200-day moving average (MA).
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 11 May 2026
In the western United States, El Niño tends to be associated with above-average heat and humidity, and these events increase the likelihood of dry and hot conditions across the southern half of the country.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
This increases the likelihood of additional upside follow-through in the coming weeks toward next major resistance in the $222-$232 zone, defined partly by the 200-day moving average (MA).
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 11 May 2026
In the western United States, El Niño tends to be associated with above-average heat and humidity, and these events increase the likelihood of dry and hot conditions across the southern half of the country.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
-
But last summer Antoine Song, a mathematician at the California Institute of Technology, found a way to translate the question into the language of probability theory.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
-
Forecasters predicted storms in the area have a high probability to produce tornadoes and severe wind, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
