Definition of probabilitynext
1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 probability The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026 The model assigns Morocco a higher probability than either the sportsbook or the prediction market, with gaps of roughly three percentage points in both cases. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026 The sun, in all probability, is not a burning, but an incandescent, body. Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for probability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probability
likelihood
Noun
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
  • In fact, striking research published in Science analyzed data on 588,322 people from 2011 through 2024 (excluding 2020-2021) found that the likelihood of spending a whole day alone increased 83% among those who worked remote and lived alone.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Probability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probability. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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