likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d 
: the chance that something will happen : probability
There's very little likelihood of that happening. [=that is very unlikely to happen]
changes that in all likelihood will be made soon [=changes that are very likely to be made soon]
… a strong likelihood that he is correct …—
T. D. Anderson
T. D. AndersonThe likelihood of instability might increase because of the economic crisis.—Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria… could reduce the likelihood of a fire in their convenience store by banning smoking in their building …—Harriet E. Jones et al.
Harriet E. Jones et al.Examples of likelihood in a Sentence
There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected.
the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high
Recent Examples on the Web
First Street’s analysis of homeowner costs found that every 1% increase in an insurance premium is associated with a 1% increase in likelihood of foreclosures.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 20 May 2025
While Gen Z and Millennials had roughly the same likelihood of saying a recession would happen in the next six months, more Gen Z-ers were also concerned about their partners losing their jobs (23.2 percent versus 19.9 percent).
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
The conclusion: In all likelihood, a 25-pound bobcat killed a 13-foot, 52-pound python.
Leveraging the cold
A key factor in the snake’s demise, aside from the cat’s courage, may have been the cold weather.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
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.
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 20 May 2025
While Gen Z and Millennials had roughly the same likelihood of saying a recession would happen in the next six months, more Gen Z-ers were also concerned about their partners losing their jobs (23.2 percent versus 19.9 percent).
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
The conclusion: In all likelihood, a 25-pound bobcat killed a 13-foot, 52-pound python.
Leveraging the cold
A key factor in the snake’s demise, aside from the cat’s courage, may have been the cold weather.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for likelihood
Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share