as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Tthe film explores the untold story of the witches of Oz, from unlikely friendship to the moment destiny sets them on different paths.
—
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
But Trump’s reign is unlikely to end the way Julian’s did.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
Over the last several years, structural engineers have assured the public that the unfinished building is unlikely to fall over.
—New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025
Fans responded with mixed emotions Sunday night at the Super Bowl when an anti-hate campaign got an unlikely spokesperson.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
But Trump’s reign is unlikely to end the way Julian’s did.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
Over the last several years, structural engineers have assured the public that the unfinished building is unlikely to fall over.
—New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025
Fans responded with mixed emotions Sunday night at the Super Bowl when an anti-hate campaign got an unlikely spokesperson.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Skipper Lewis Dunk, deputy captain Danny Welbeck, and Dutch right-back Joel Veltman remain doubtful for tomorrow night’s home game against Bournemouth.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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South Africans Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are also among the big names that will be missing, while Steven Smith has been retained by Freedom although his availability is doubtful given his international commitments.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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During that time, Trump, with the help of Elon Musk’s legally dubious DOGE task force, has ransacked the federal civil service in search of any programs that hint at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2025
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But producer Henning Kamm of Real Film Berlin, who is behind TV projects such as Unorthodox and upcoming Berlin ER, is dubious.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Both improbable and inspirational, the 70-member orchestra grew from a fledgling adult education program at the local high school into a beloved institution through the hard work of its founder, Joel Lish, and Eva Holberg.—
Thomas Curwen,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Ska as rendered by the 2 Tone crew was a protest-any-hegemony template that took root in the most improbable places: Orange County, California; the Basque country of Spain; Russia; China; Venezuela; Argentina.—
Ian Penman,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the buzz around e-fuels as an alternative, their viability remains questionable.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Cincinnati The decision to hire Scott Satterfield was questionable, and nothing during his Bearcats tenure has changed those initial doubts, as Satterfield is 8-16 in two seasons.—
Antonio Morales,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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