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
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Recent Examples of likelihood
These boxes — actually orange in color to improve the likelihood they can be found in wreckage — will help get to the truth behind the worst U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.
—
Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
The chance of a major asteroid striking Earth in 2032 heightened to 2.3 percent, but scientists say the likelihood of impact remains very low.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
The test is meant to help physicians rule out autism in children who have higher likelihoods of it.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Such relative stability is a welcome sign with the likelihood that the Fed will be on hold, possibly until summer, while officials wait to see the fallout of President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda that includes aggressive tariffs against the largest U.S. trading partners.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
The chance of a major asteroid striking Earth in 2032 heightened to 2.3 percent, but scientists say the likelihood of impact remains very low.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
The test is meant to help physicians rule out autism in children who have higher likelihoods of it.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Such relative stability is a welcome sign with the likelihood that the Fed will be on hold, possibly until summer, while officials wait to see the fallout of President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda that includes aggressive tariffs against the largest U.S. trading partners.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
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Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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