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
The likelihood of finding fossil evidence to rubberstamp the conclusions of the genetic data is slim, Dr. Wan conceded.
—Tom Page, CNN, 24 June 2024
The likelihood of life-threatening rip currents is high for beaches along the Atlantic Coast, including the Jersey Shore from Point Pleasant to Cape May, according to the National Weather Service.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 June 2024
Facing the likelihood, now reality, of losing four starters to graduation and the NBA and having to replace more than 60% of the team’s scoring in order to contend again.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2024
Nearly every country offers some sort of coastline, meaning the likelihood of finding a stretch of sand that suits your preferences is certain.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Tom Page, CNN, 24 June 2024
The likelihood of life-threatening rip currents is high for beaches along the Atlantic Coast, including the Jersey Shore from Point Pleasant to Cape May, according to the National Weather Service.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 June 2024
Facing the likelihood, now reality, of losing four starters to graduation and the NBA and having to replace more than 60% of the team’s scoring in order to contend again.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2024
Nearly every country offers some sort of coastline, meaning the likelihood of finding a stretch of sand that suits your preferences is certain.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likelihood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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