improbable

American  

[im-prob-uh-buhl] / ɪmˈprɒb ə bəl /

adjective

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

   Rain is improbable tonight.

   Synonyms:

   implausible, doubtful, questionable

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improbable British  

/ ɪmˈprɒbəbəl /

adjective

1. not likely or probable; doubtful; unlikely

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Other Word Forms

• improbability noun
• improbableness noun
• improbably adverb
• superimprobable adjective
• superimprobableness noun
• superimprobably adverb

Etymology

Origin of improbable

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

Example Sentences

Then came the most improbable comeback in college basketball’s modern history.

From The Wall Street Journal

And those were the images that returned with his improbable fifth Masters victory in 2019, fused back and all, achieved at the age of 43.

From BBC

For decades, closure of the strait was regarded as something that was conceivable in theory, but operationally improbable in practice, Morgan Stanley noted.

From Barron's

Before long, however, the two improbable friends have formed a siblinglike bond, sharing toys and teasing each other over who gets the most praise from Basma.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the great irony of a victory sealed by his improbable 2-pointer was that High Point only found itself in a position to win because of Johnston’s outrageous strategy for shooting threes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fanciful
• implausible
• rare
• unbelievable
• unlikely