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
For Black men, systemic racism has inhibited their response to pain and emotional turmoil by shaming them out of vulnerability, which reduces the likelihood of them asking for help when needed.
—
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
The southeastern portion of the state has an equal likelihood of above, below or near average temperatures during December, January and February.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Melissa, for example, poses a major flooding threat to Jamaica and Hispaniola in particular, due to its extended proximity to land, the presence of tall mountains that tend to wring out moisture from the atmosphere and the likelihood that heavy rains will fall for many consecutive days.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
The southeastern portion of the state has an equal likelihood of above, below or near average temperatures during December, January and February.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Melissa, for example, poses a major flooding threat to Jamaica and Hispaniola in particular, due to its extended proximity to land, the presence of tall mountains that tend to wring out moisture from the atmosphere and the likelihood that heavy rains will fall for many consecutive days.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
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This approach can reduce the overhead coordination of traditional innovation processes while maximizing the probability of generating top-tier ideas from the start.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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The 2032 pass of the hypothetical swarm will arrive from the nighttime side of the Earth, at which point Boslough said the probability of an impact or airburst might be higher than average.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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