likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
His salary isn't public because Vandy is a private school, but in all likelihood, the best current candidate for SEC Coach of the Year could get a fat raise elsewhere.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
Your duty to intervene increases with the value of the object and the likelihood it will be purloined.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Given the likelihood of the measure’s approval by voters on Election Day, California Republicans are reportedly retreating from their anti-Proposition 50 campaign.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
Sultan's recent research found a two to four times higher likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders for teens who used cannabis recreationally compared to adolescents who don't use the drug at all.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
Your duty to intervene increases with the value of the object and the likelihood it will be purloined.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Given the likelihood of the measure’s approval by voters on Election Day, California Republicans are reportedly retreating from their anti-Proposition 50 campaign.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
Sultan's recent research found a two to four times higher likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders for teens who used cannabis recreationally compared to adolescents who don't use the drug at all.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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