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Definitions

unlikelihood

[uhn-lahyk-lee-hood] / ʌnˈlaɪk liˌhʊd /
NOUN
dark horse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
also-ran long shot sleeper underdog
WEAK
hundred-to-one shot improbability little chance little opportunity outside chance outside shot poor bet poor lookout poor possibility poor prognosis poor prospect slim chance small chance stalking horse unexpected winner unknown unknown quantity unlikely winner upsetter
NOUN
impossibility
Synonyms
STRONGEST
futility
STRONG
contrariety difficulty failure impracticability impracticality unfeasibility
WEAK
unattainability unreasonableness unworkability
Antonyms
WEAK
feasibility possibility practicality probability

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.

At nearly 80, he’s started to “joke” about his unlikelihood of getting into heaven.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

But if unlikelihood breaks a certain way, it leaves Cruz with a path to his lifelong goal.

From Slate • Sep. 27, 2025

The unlikelihood of him being available to play in the NHL until 2026 could represent a red flag for some teams.

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2023

The original guilty verdict rested primarily on the apparent unlikelihood of four children in one family dying naturally and ambiguous writing in Folbigg’s diary that the prosecution suggested betrayed a guilty conscience.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 6, 2023

His father wanted Colin to transcend all that stuff, but maybe even he was starting to see the unlikelihood of Colin ever becoming extraordinary.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green