chances 1 of 2

plural of chance
1
2
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in probabilities
a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chances
Noun
Alexander Isak couldn’t take the couple of chances that came his way and then didn’t emerge for the second half due to discomfort in his groin as strike partner Ekitike outshone him once again. James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 On Wednesday, their chances of breaking this losing streak took a significant blow after news emerged about the status of star quarterback Jayden Daniels for Monday's game. Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 To increase the chances that eggplants survive a short period of cold weather, water your plants deeply before covering them, and consider adding a thick layer of mulch over their roots as well. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025 The best rain chances will be along and south of Interstate 70. Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rain chances return in KC’s forecast The chance for rain returns Thursday night and continues into the weekend. Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025 The festival holds a Conservation Village on site for educational and service-based activations like a virtual shark dive, a trash-drop-off site in exchange for potential prizes, and chances to learn about eco-friendly brands. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025 There's some decent rain chances the rest of the week, so keep an umbrella handy. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Rain chances linger for much of the area overnight tonight before tapering off tomorrow afternoon, but any accumulations are expected to be light. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Cloudy, gray weather is expected to persist Thursday, even as the last of the rain chances for these two systems evaporate, Murdock said. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 But Denver bungled five — five — chances to extend their lead to two scores in the second half after taking resounding control of the game in the second half. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 Daily rain chances on the horizon An active weather patten is to thank and/or blame for the daily rain chances. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2025 Thunderstorms chances drop on Thursday through the weekend (chances at 5% or below). Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances
Noun
  • All of Tuesday’s big money luck among the Mega Millions, Fantasy 5, Jackpot Triple Play and Cash4Life drawings started and ended on one jackpot.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The good luck charm apparently had some impact, as Whitney and her partner ended the episode with their first 10s of the season, as well.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the power opportunities are bright, the current earnings reports are much more dour as the oil sector slogs along with weakened activity.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • More patents are filed in states with more H-1B visa holders, which can lead to the creation of more businesses and, in turn, job opportunities.
    Ben Zweig, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 37% rule The mathematical question for Macy (or our would-be dater looking for love) concerns maximizing probabilities.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Playoff probabilities swing pretty significantly from 4-3 to 3-4.
    Andy Behrens, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His first business ventures were reportedly an internet café and gaming centers in the provincial capital Fuzhou.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Trump has used his name as a branding tool for ventures, including hotels and golf courses.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Anyone who uses them against federal agents risks arrest, imprisonment, and life-threatening injuries.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Kenna risks heartbreak and, ultimately, the hope for a second chance.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The first death happens when the heart stops beating and the brain stops working.
    Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
  • What happens if a brain aneurysm ruptures?
    Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The cameras were back 18 years later in very different circumstances, as the disgraced former President set off to begin a five-year sentence at La Santé prison in Paris.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In some circumstances, cultural restrictions or security challenges limit women’s ability to take part in public-facing health activities such as door-to-door vaccination efforts.
    Dr. Tunji Funsho, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Superman proved to fire off the new DC under chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran, while the original gambles that Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy have made at the larger Warner Bros Motion Picture Group with Sinners and F1, as well as new IP A Minecraft Movie, have been smashing successes.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
  • As awards season progresses, the success or failure of these strategic gambles will likely influence how future romantic dramas approach their campaigns, potentially reshaping decades of precedent in favor of more aggressive positioning strategies.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chances. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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