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Definitions

chance

[chans, chahns] / tʃæns, tʃɑns /
ADJECTIVE
accidental, unforeseeable
Synonyms
STRONG
contingent incidental
WEAK
adventitious at random by-the-way casual fluky fortuitous fortunate happy inadvertent lucky odd offhand unforeseen unintentional unlooked-for unplanned
Antonyms
WEAK
designed foreseeable planned understood
NOUN
possibility, probability
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break likelihood odds opportunity outlook prospect shot time
STRONG
contingency indications liability occasion opening scope show squeak wager
WEAK
fair shake fighting chance long shot look-in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad luck misfortune unlikelihood
STRONG
reality truth
WEAK
aim assurance certainty design law plan scheme
NOUN
fate, luck
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advantage break future hit lot odds outcome risk
STRONG
accident adventure cast casualty coincidence contingency destination destiny doom fluke fortuity fortune gamble hap happening hazard kismet lottery misfortune occurrence peradventure peril providence toss-up
WEAK
bad luck even chance good luck haphazard heads or tails in the cards luck out lucky break stroke of luck throw of the dice turn of the cards way the cookie crumbles wheel of fortune
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disadvantage loss
STRONG
certainty design plan protection reality safeguard safety surety
WEAK
aim assurance law scheme
NOUN
gamble, risk
Synonyms
STRONG
bet hazard jeopardy lottery raffle speculation stake try venture wager
WEAK
craps game fall of the cards throw of the dice
Antonyms
STRONG
abstention fact protection reality safety
WEAK
aim assurance certainty design law plan scheme
VERB
gamble, risk; endanger
Synonyms
STRONG
attempt gamble hazard jeopardize plunge speculate stake try venture wager wildcat
WEAK
cast lots draw lots go out on a limb have a fling at play with fire put eggs in one basket put it on the line roll the dice run the risk skate on thin ice stick one's neck out take shot in the dark tempt fate tempt fortune toss up
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain
WEAK
aim design plan scheme
VERB
happen
Synonyms
STRONG
arrive befall betide break bump come go hap light luck meet occur stumble transpire tumble
WEAK
be one's fate blunder on come about come off come to pass fall out fall to one's lot hit upon light upon stumble on turn up
Antonyms
STRONG
depart leave stay
WEAK
aim design plan scheme

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They got their break in 1969, after sending a reggae version of John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance to its writer.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Fewer rangers could mean, for instance, fewer people to reach dehydrated, stranded or lost hikers, said Chance Wilcox, California desert director for the National Parks Conservation Assn.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

In his 1953 speech “The Chance for Peace,” a Republican president warned about the human cost of militarism.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Countertenor Alexander Chance was careful and effective as the herald Lichas who supplies some narrative glue—he recounts the horror of Hercules burning to death in the poisoned robe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Hadn't he and Pattie managed to take care of Willow Chance?

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Vocabulary lists containing chance

Statistics and Probability - Middle School

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Workshop 3, Part 1

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