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
Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to two debates on June 27 on CNN and Sept. 10 on ABC News, raising the likelihood of the earliest general-election debate in modern history.
—Maya King, New York Times, 18 May 2024
In a survey conducted by the Census Bureau, Asian Americans reported a lower likelihood of filling out the forms than other demographic groups, due in part to language barriers and a lack of communication about the purpose of the census form.
—Sandhya Kambhampati, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood 
Maya King, New York Times, 18 May 2024
In a survey conducted by the Census Bureau, Asian Americans reported a lower likelihood of filling out the forms than other demographic groups, due in part to language barriers and a lack of communication about the purpose of the census form.
—Sandhya Kambhampati, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for likelihood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'likelihood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Likelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/likelihood. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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likelihood
noun
like·li·hood
ˈlī-klē-ˌhu̇d
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