likelihood

noun

ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce likelihood (audio)
Definition of likelihoodnext
as in probability
the quality or state of being likely to occur the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high

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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 likelihood While maintaining the illumination needed for pilots and crews, these modes are intended to reduce the likelihood of detection by opposing forces using infrared sensors. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 Casting a shadow, though, was that controversy over Balogun’s reinstatement, and the unseemly likelihood politics have butted in where politics don’t belong and should never be. — Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 During El Niño events, tremendous amounts of heat are transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere, elevating global average temperatures and increasing the likelihood of worldwide extreme weather events. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 The Climate Prediction Center, a specialized branch of the National Weather Service, is expecting a greater likelihood for above-average temperatures for California in the second and third weeks of July. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likelihood
probability
Noun
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
  • The model assigns Morocco a higher probability than either the sportsbook or the prediction market, with gaps of roughly three percentage points in both cases.
    — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of probability

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like gangbusters
likelihood
likely
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Cite this Entry

“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likelihood. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on likelihood

Nglish: Translation of likelihood for Spanish Speakers

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