1
as in probable
having a high chance of occurring
if you don't graduate from high school, your likely fate is a low-paying job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
this looks like a likely spot for good trout fishing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plausible
worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable
we didn't find her excuse a very likely story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pretty
very pleasing to look at
a likely gal such as yourself should have no trouble getting a date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in probably
by reasonable assumption
the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likely
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such severe renal failure is rare, but potentially life-threatening, and more likely when the renal system is already under duress during intense exercise, like running an ultra.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Much of the snow on the ground has melted as temperatures have reached above freezing over the past couple weeks, but the remaining snow will likely be all gone after the weekend, Miller said.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Adjective
Someone in the locker room is likely to be an Olympic gold medalist.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such severe renal failure is rare, but potentially life-threatening, and more likely when the renal system is already under duress during intense exercise, like running an ultra.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The home was likely used as a safe house for enslaved people fleeing the South.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Much of the snow on the ground has melted as temperatures have reached above freezing over the past couple weeks, but the remaining snow will likely be all gone after the weekend, Miller said.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for likely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likely
Adjective
-
As major league owners meet this week to plot strategy, the powers that be will consider the probable push for a salary cap.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
However, the evidence points to the latter as being the probable origin.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One particularly promising application involves tracking when the ball crosses the sideline during kickoffs and punts.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Often, even the most promising young prospects disappear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet Schlossberg now stands a plausible, perhaps strong, chance of winning the Democratic primary (and thus the general election).—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This is a plausible assertion, given that, by the time Tennyson entered adulthood, the British intellectual class—and, for that matter, much of the rest of the world—had been turned on its head by scientific breakthroughs, above all in geology and astronomy.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a pretty, warm room with arched interior colonnades, anchored by a display kitchen with an open fire.—
Andrea Bennett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Brass had its moment, but our experts say to leave behind the sleek metal and instead mix textures, patterns, finishes, and materials by adding this under-$30 rattan lamp and these pretty candle holders into your decor.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Some are strong sellers that are being made available at sizeable discounts, while others are older medications, have inexpensive generic alternatives or are being offered at prices that are probably comparable to what drugmakers receive from insurers.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Most are passionate about food and/or art, probably the two leading draws for anyone visiting San Miguel.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Tuesday night development in the case comes hours after the release of doorbell camera footage of a possible suspect in the disappearance.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Statues of prominent citizens line the route, many missing heads or limbs, while religious and civic buildings once painted in bright colors now appear butter-yellow.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the loss, the future is bright for the Patriots and but first there's the reaction from after the Super Bowl.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An asylum officer later found the family had a credible fear of persecution, according to Mukherjee.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Trump, former President Bill Clinton and others are mentioned in the files without credible accusations of wrongdoing.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likely. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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