unlikely
Americanadjective
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not likely to be or occur; improbable; marked by doubt.
-
holding little prospect of success; unpromising; likely to fail.
He is an unlikely candidate for reelection.
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not ingratiating; objectionable.
adverb
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unlikely
First recorded in 1325–75, unlikely is from the Middle English word unlikli. See un- 1, likely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That seems unlikely, which means: We may still have to wait for the inevitable leak.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
But current oil price strength is unlikely to mark a structural upcycle, with Brent expected at $70/bbl in 2027 as Middle East supply normalizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
The unlikely pair met in the early 70s when Best had a line of children's clothes and Sir Paul worked for the company which designed them.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
However, the strategists noted that they see hikes as unlikely.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Likewise, her stern instruction now was unlikely to help him resist the chickens.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Then the next game turned out to be even unlikelier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
Soon, Gef appeared in an even unlikelier place: the British courts.
From National Geographic ● Sep. 19, 2023
There will be more challenges to come, but they seem unlikelier than ever to prevail.
From Slate ● Jun. 15, 2023
Some of the suggested new tributes reach into unlikelier cultural realms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2022
Put it at a hundred only, and daylight would be the unlikelier to bring disappointment.
From Nicky-Nan, Reservist by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
Balancing sorrow with self-deprecation, Maron covers childhood abuse, his father’s dementia, evacuating his home with three cats during the L.A. fires and becoming the unlikeliest of Swifties.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
It is, according to bookmakers, the unlikeliest Super Bowl match-up of modern times.
From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026
The Estadio da Luz then erupted deep in injury time as Trubin turned the unlikeliest of heroes as he nodded in from a free-kick to send Benfica through.
From Barron's ● Jan. 28, 2026
And as far as Super Bowl matchups go, this will go down as one of the unlikeliest in the modern history of the sport.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026
Perhaps those who have most to live for are unlikeliest to survive—their anxiety is greater.
From The Subterranean Brotherhood by Julian Hawthorne
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
