unlikely

American  

[uhn-lahyk-lee] / ʌnˈlaɪk li /

adjective

unlikelier, unlikeliest

1. not likely to be or occur; improbable; marked by doubt.

2. holding little prospect of success; unpromising; likely to fail.

   He is an unlikely candidate for reelection.

3. not ingratiating; objectionable.

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adverb

1. in an unlikely way.

unlikely British  

/ ʌnˈlaɪklɪ /

adjective

1. not likely; improbable

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unlikely Idioms  

1. see in the unlikely event.

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Other Word Forms

• unlikeliness noun

Etymology

Origin of unlikely

First recorded in 1325–75, unlikely is from the Middle English word unlikli. See un- ¹, likely

Example Sentences

Some administration officials said that as long as Tehran continued to attack regional countries and Israel still wanted to strike Iranian targets, it was unlikely the U.S. could easily withdraw.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. and China are unlikely to slow their AI-infrastructure and technology spending despite higher energy prices, which could support Asia’s electronics-oriented economies, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal

China’s tech titans are embracing an unlikely outsider: OpenClaw, a project created by an Austrian developer that is making waves across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.K. retail sales were flat in February, with any near-term recovery unlikely due to knock-on effects from the Middle East conflict, the British Retail Consortium said.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, the message is unlikely to resonate with many in the United States, where gas-guzzling vehicles remain popular.

From Barron's

Related Words

• absurd
• implausible
• improbable
• inconceivable
• incredible
• rare
• remote
• strange
• unbelievable