CHANCES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

chances 1 of 2

noun

plural of chance

as in luck

the uncertain course of events rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opportunities

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in probabilities

a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

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as in gambles

a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure things

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

as in risks

to take a chance on I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

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as in happens

to take place there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of chances

Noun

Skies will become partly sunny, and rain chances will drop considerably. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026 Merino’s goal came a few mere minutes after Ronaldo had two chances to put Portugal ahead. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 The second half started much like the first half, as both teams created occasional chances, with most of the action coming from the Spanish. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Regardless of whether the Mets want to keep him, Bo Bichette’s chances of getting dealt before the deadline are slim because of his contract. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 6 July 2026 Before Haaland’s late heroics, Brazil had a few other great chances to get on the board, but simply couldn’t find that bit of magic on this Sunday evening. — Andy Clayton, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 Paul Sewald gave up Jackson Chourio's 13th homer in the ninth but finished for his 20th save in 21 chances. — ABC News, 5 July 2026 Fertility companies are betting on artificial intelligence and other technologies to boost the chances of a successful IVF pregnancy. — Edna Bonhomme, Scientific American, 6 July 2026

Verb

Wednesday will feature morning and evening storm chances with a slight threat — 2 on a scale of 5— of severe conditions. — Chris Shaffer, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Considerably more sympathetic to her plight is Melanie Saunders (Graynor), a high-minded acting teacher whose intensive Act One studio Hannah chances upon while researching her favorite young actress, Gracie Thomas (Tavi Gevinson), online. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances

Noun

The group of death in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers wasn’t enough, because in Egypt’s next attempt to reach the finals in 2006, their luck put them in a group with Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast and Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroon.

— Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026
In retrospect, the result looks less like luck than like a compounding advantage.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Definition of luck

Noun

There are fewer opportunities for younger workers to find mentors and soak up knowledge.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
My hope is that each and every American and everyone who resides in our great country will all get the same level of freedom and opportunities, and everyone can have a chance at the American dream.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of opportunities

Noun

Instead, they must be guided by the real-time facts of each situation, measure their key performance indicators carefully, and weigh the probabilities of different possible outcomes.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Information still needs to be interrogated, narratives stress-tested and probabilities translated into exposure limits.

— Peter Doyle, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of probabilities

Noun

LaMelo Ball is teaming up with Anthony Edwards after one of Tim Connelly’s boldest gambles yet.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
Drawing on generations of Chinatown family lore and silences, See turns China City’s vanished streets and her ancestors’ immigrant gambles into a historical fiction layered with stories of survival and belonging.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Definition of gambles

Verb

Over-reliance on AI for immediate conclusions risks individuals missing the crucial process of building foundational knowledge and critical thinking.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Delaying much beyond that risks the continuity that has sustained collider physics for generations.

— Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

This typically happens because navigating the conflict proves that the relationship is resilient and can withstand the realities of the human experience.

— Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

Definition of happens

Noun

Plantation police said the circumstances surrounding the child's death remain under investigation.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Officials did not initially identify Ortiz Canseco on Thursday or disclose the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, saying his family needed to be notified first.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of circumstances

Noun

In his disclosure for 2024, Trump reported more than $600 million in income from cryptocurrencies, golf properties, licensing and other ventures.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 1 July 2026
His off-court endeavors have contributed to the majority of his wealth, generating over $1 billion from business ventures and endorsement deals.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026