as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Again, some of it was unlikely Doobie Brothers stuff, but the band had to think of something to do in Tom’s absence.
—
Steve Bloom, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Redshirt senior Clay Millen, a former Colorado State transfer, is the team’s other scholarship QB, but has not played in two seasons — and is unlikely to ever take the field at UF.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Such an act of leadership is unlikely to emerge from a White House that wants all the credit when things go well and none of the credit when things go poorly.
—David Peduto, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
To be sure, regime change is not part of the Trump Doctrine and a peaceful transition to democracy is unlikely.
—Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Steve Bloom, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Redshirt senior Clay Millen, a former Colorado State transfer, is the team’s other scholarship QB, but has not played in two seasons — and is unlikely to ever take the field at UF.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Such an act of leadership is unlikely to emerge from a White House that wants all the credit when things go well and none of the credit when things go poorly.
—David Peduto, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
To be sure, regime change is not part of the Trump Doctrine and a peaceful transition to democracy is unlikely.
—Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Trump and Musk will meet by the end of the year—giving that likelihood a 57 percent chance—but are doubtful that a meeting will come in the coming weeks.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
Initially doubtful of her claim to survivor status, she’s emboldened by her female friends to speak openly of her experience, which in turn becomes the cause célèbre that carries the entire movement.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Thrilling upset launches unconventional Finals: Oklahoma City and Indiana both chasing their first NBA championship made for a dubious national ratings sell, and the Knicks’ sudden firing of coach Tom Thibodeau glommed attention as the Finals began.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
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Their once-close relationship came under scrutiny again on Thursday when billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk alleged the president was a party to Epstein’s dubious behavior.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Yet, urban transformation and neighborhood revitalization happen in improbable ways at the unlikeliest of times.—
Peter Lane Taylor,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The Hurricanes extended their improbable postseason run at least one more day, taking down the Louisville Cardinals 9-6 in a come-from-behind victory in Game 2 of the NCAA super regionals on Saturday.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Technical guardrails help ensure agents stay within scope and flag questionable output for human review.—
Spencer Dorn,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to LA, and, under a questionable legal basis, the Secretary of Defense has put Marines at Camp Pendleton on alert.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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