as in odds
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another
the probability of flipping a coin and getting heads 50 times in a row is not good
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Recent Examples of probabilities
Essentially, this treats historical probabilities as the baseline and raises them based on the current oil, inflation and interest rate environment.
—
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Oncologists think in probabilities and protocols.
—Amber Nigam, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Some passes, like Snoqualmie, have a 60% chance of receiving more than 8 inches of snow, with areas above 2,000 feet in the Cascades and Olympics seeing over 40% probabilities.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Statistical models have shown this scenario could occur with probabilities ranging from 10 to 28 percent depending on candidate consolidation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s extremely unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving only a miniscule chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
For what quantum mechanics actually supplies is the probabilities of measurement outcomes.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Oncologists think in probabilities and protocols.
—Amber Nigam, Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Some passes, like Snoqualmie, have a 60% chance of receiving more than 8 inches of snow, with areas above 2,000 feet in the Cascades and Olympics seeing over 40% probabilities.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Statistical models have shown this scenario could occur with probabilities ranging from 10 to 28 percent depending on candidate consolidation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But in spring 2022, Proskauer viewed both as distinct possibilities, if not probabilities.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting high probabilities for warmer, drier conditions in the basin through May.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 23 Feb. 2026
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s extremely unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving only a miniscule chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
For what quantum mechanics actually supplies is the probabilities of measurement outcomes.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probabilities
Noun
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Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics made the Heat’s chances of avoiding the play-in tournament even worse.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Easter Sunday brings the reflective season of Lent to its conclusion, focusing on the possibilities of spiritual rebirth from personal sacrifice toward a larger goal.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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McDonald's used humanoid robots in one location for a short period to test reactions and explore possibilities.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probabilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probabilities. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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