as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
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Recent Examples of unlikely
But with Trump’s overt hostility to all things IRA, scale-up is unlikely.
—
Jim Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
The significant biomass and biodiversity of the ecosystems surprised the researchers, especially since deep-sea ecosystems typically rely on nutrients from the surface that slowly trickle down to the seafloor – an unlikely occurrence when the sea surface is covered by 500-foot-thick ice.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
When Michelle is asked by a teenage girl to pose for a high school photography project, an unlikely friendship threatens Kelly’s influence.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Mar. 2025
The quiet suburban streets of Massapequa Park seem an unlikely backdrop for one of the most notorious serial killer cases in recent history.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Jim Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
The significant biomass and biodiversity of the ecosystems surprised the researchers, especially since deep-sea ecosystems typically rely on nutrients from the surface that slowly trickle down to the seafloor – an unlikely occurrence when the sea surface is covered by 500-foot-thick ice.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
When Michelle is asked by a teenage girl to pose for a high school photography project, an unlikely friendship threatens Kelly’s influence.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Mar. 2025
The quiet suburban streets of Massapequa Park seem an unlikely backdrop for one of the most notorious serial killer cases in recent history.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some onlookers are also dubious that the change will make HHS more adept at rooting out fraud, waste and abuse.—
Maya Goldman,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
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The content creator’s posts regarding the incident were labeled as dubious, even after the publication of the full footage of the incident.—
Javier Bastardo,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, the people who were there waiting for them had made even more improbable voyages, through harsher environments, with much simpler technologies—but spurred, perhaps, by the same unnamed urge.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2025
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The improbable return of Miami Beach’s iconic Deauville Hotel, demolished by implosion in 2022, has come one big step closer to becoming reality.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Burks had been questionable earlier in the day due to back discomfort.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2025
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The star guard was listed as questionable for this game against the Pelicans and will make his return to the court.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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