unlikelihood

noun

un·​like·​li·​hood ˌən-ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce unlikelihood (audio)
Synonyms of unlikelihoodnext
1
: improbability
Given the unlikelihood of increased funding, the program will close down next month.
2
: something unlikely
Increased funding is an unlikelihood.

Examples of unlikelihood in a Sentence

Given the unlikelihood of a tax increase, these programs will probably run out of funding next year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or, what happens in the unlikelihood that the taxi is hacked via radio waves that program the thing, and then goes nuts? — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Feb. 2026 His starting point was not optimism about the likelihood of human agreement but a sober recognition of its unlikelihood. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Chris Appelhans, Kang’s co-director, agreed about the unlikelihood of a live-action version. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 This is not simply the unlikelihood of a popular guy finally noticing his wallflower best friend (like the story of Colin and Penelope in season 3). — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlikelihood

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlikelihood was in the 15th century

Rhymes for unlikelihood

See All Rhymes for unlikelihood

Browse Nearby Words

unlike
unlikelihood
unlikeliness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unlikelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlikelihood. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

unlikelihood

noun
un·​like·​li·​hood ˌən-ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce unlikelihood (audio)
ˈən-
: the quality or state of being unlikely

More from Merriam-Webster on unlikelihood

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unlikelihood

Nglish: Translation of unlikelihood for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All