likelihood

[lahyk-lee-hood] / ˈlaɪk liˌhʊd /

NOUN

chance of something happening

Synonyms

STRONGEST

possibility probability prospect tendency trend

STRONG

direction liability likeliness plausibility presumption reasonableness toss-up

WEAK

coin flip even break fair shake fifty-fifty fighting chance good chance long shot outside chance shot at strong possibility

Antonyms

STRONGEST

unlikelihood

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.

A 2022 study gave participants contact-tracing devices to estimate how many close contacts they had each day while on a cruise—basically, evaluating the likelihood of an infectious disease’s spread.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

Each contract must have a “yes” or “no” outcome and will range in price between 1 cent and 99 cents, representing what the collective market thinks about the likelihood of an event.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

In a briefing on Wednesday, Harman said this may increase the likelihood of those groups travelling into London to join the rally.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The average S&P 500 company has seen sales estimates increase 2.6% this year, so identifying companies that are roughly in step with or better than the average increases the likelihood of avoiding truly deteriorating businesses.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The likelihood of any given person being killed in a terrorist attack is far smaller than the likelihood that the same person will clog up his arteries with fatty food and die of heart disease.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Vocabulary lists containing likelihood

Statistics and Probability - Middle School

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Because of Mr. Terupt

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Jacob Have I Loved

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