as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Yet Trump, who did not ignore court orders in his first term, is unlikely to defy a judicial decision.
—
Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Padres have had talks regarding Cronenworth and were getting suitors at full price, but a trade of Cronenworth appears highly unlikely mostly because the Padres value him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
The House is unlikely to reach an agreement on taxes and spending cuts before Johnson and President Trump meet in a New Orleans skybox on Sunday, aides and lawmakers conceded today.
—Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
The basic facts of these assassinations are unlikely to change: Lee Harvey Oswald fatally shot JFK; Sirhan Sirhan fatally shot Robert F. Kennedy; and James Earl Ray fatally shot MLK.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Padres have had talks regarding Cronenworth and were getting suitors at full price, but a trade of Cronenworth appears highly unlikely mostly because the Padres value him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
The House is unlikely to reach an agreement on taxes and spending cuts before Johnson and President Trump meet in a New Orleans skybox on Sunday, aides and lawmakers conceded today.
—Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
The basic facts of these assassinations are unlikely to change: Lee Harvey Oswald fatally shot JFK; Sirhan Sirhan fatally shot Robert F. Kennedy; and James Earl Ray fatally shot MLK.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Wide receiver Skyy Moore is the only doubtful player the team has.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
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Suggs, who is doubtful with a left quad contusion, is averaging 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Vaccine backers are dubious that Cassidy will have much influence over Kennedy if he is confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services.—
Karen Kaplan,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
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Previously, the 2008 Sayre Fire in Sylmar that destroyed 604 structures held that dubious distinction.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However, Green made his first attempt in 2017 when the GOP had control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, meaning his chances of success were improbable.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Her most improbable scheme was to sell a Bruckner manuscript—the first three movements of the Third Symphony, which had been in Mahler’s possession—to none other than Hitler, a Bruckner fanatic.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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People are still perplexed and saddened by the questionable move on the Mavericks' side, especially their majority owner, Mark Cuban.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
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Officiating has been a hot topic of late as questionable calls seemingly took over two of the Chiefs’ playoff wins — against the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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