as in doubtful
not likely to be true or to occur
in the unlikely event that the file is deleted or corrupted, you will want to have backup copies available
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unlikely
Vance could reverse this apparent trend, but that is unlikely.
—
Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
Experts have also noted the Chinese government is unlikely to approve a sale that includes TikTok’s coveted algorithm.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
Voters there are backing Trump anyway Of course, the oil industry is unlikely to protest if other parts of the IRA are repealed, including tax incentives that primarily benefit solar, wind and renewables broadly.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
However, a 2011 study concluded that this idea is unlikely, because the comet strikes in recorded history haven't happened with any regularity.
—Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely 
Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
Experts have also noted the Chinese government is unlikely to approve a sale that includes TikTok’s coveted algorithm.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
Voters there are backing Trump anyway Of course, the oil industry is unlikely to protest if other parts of the IRA are repealed, including tax incentives that primarily benefit solar, wind and renewables broadly.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
However, a 2011 study concluded that this idea is unlikely, because the comet strikes in recorded history haven't happened with any regularity.
—Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlikely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlikely
Adjective
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Flowers was listed as doubtful throughout the week and upgraded wide receiver Anthony Miller from the practice squad.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The injury report, where Flowers was listed as doubtful, ended any suspense.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Barack Obama faced criticism for the dubious legal rationale behind drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens deemed enemy combatants abroad.—
Victor Menaldo,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
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When Alyssa's slacker boyfriend steals their rent money, the girls race against the clock to get the funds back to avoid eviction from their dubious landlord, embarking on a series of chaotic escapades across Los Angeles.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Grand Theft Hamlet is the chronicle of the improbable production of Hamlet the two men begin to plan in that moment, half internet stunt and half earnest attempt at art made more real by the fact that Grylls joins and starts documenting the action using the in-game camera effect.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
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Eraserhead improbably landed Lynch his first feature proper, The Elephant Man, when Mel Brooks (its equally improbable producer) fell in love with the director’s esoteric work.—
Stephen Galloway,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Ben Simmons is questionable with lower back soreness.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
27 Jan. 2025
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However, the most questionable penalty came in the third quarter, during a play where Mahomes was attempting to escape the Texans' defense.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unlikely
Cite this Entry
“Unlikely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlikely. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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