improbable

[ im-prob-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen:

   Rain is improbable tonight.

   Synonyms: implausible, doubtful, questionable

improbable

/ ɪmˈprɒbəbəl /

adjective

1. not likely or probable; doubtful; unlikely

Derived Forms

• imˈprobably, adverb
• imˌprobaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• im·proba·bly adverb
• im·proba·ble·ness noun
• super·im·proba·ble adjective
• super·im·proba·ble·ness noun
• super·im·proba·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of improbable¹

From the Latin word improbābilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See im- ², probable

Example Sentences

Of course, any such speculation only underscores just how improbable Kipchoge’s win streak really was.

From Outside Online

Allen has raised his ceiling this year, performing at a level many would have considered improbable before this season.

From FiveThirtyEight

Earlier this month, before the Nuggets pulled off another improbable series comeback, I asked 7-footer Nikola Jokić about the patient, glacially paced style he uses on offense.

From FiveThirtyEight

Of all the subcultures on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, this is one of the most improbable—and riskiest—to emerge.

From Fortune

That is to say, it is improbable that there would be a major polling error in Michigan that wouldn’t also be reflected in similar states such as Wisconsin and Ohio.

From FiveThirtyEight

From this louche improbable source pours music of sublime beauty without one false note.

From The Daily Beast

So the story was about those two characters reuniting and, in the most improbable circumstances, changing the world.

From The Daily Beast

It may seem improbable now, but someday this experience will be behind us.

From The Daily Beast

That leaves one other improbable but ultimately most likely culprit: a high-mass, low-temperature white dwarf.

From The Daily Beast

Other Nel gems: “Your version is so improbable that it cannot be reasonably possible.”

From The Daily Beast

Leaving Howlet and Meadows grinning at a highly improbable adventure, he slapped the boy on the shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the company observed that this was improbable, as Dr. Goldsmith had never been in that part of the country.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not improbable, however, that the movement may have been a serious attempt at a great flank attack on England.

From Project Gutenberg

Limited to Cycadeae, however, it does not appear to me so very improbable, as to deserve to be rejected without examination.

From Project Gutenberg

Rabbah was to be a sheep-fold, Babylon a menagerie of wild beasts—a very specific difference and very improbable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fanciful
• implausible
• rare
• unbelievable
• unlikely