Pronunciation

/unˈlaɪkli/

Definitions

Adjective

• Meaning: Not probable or likely to happen; having a low probability.
• Usage: Refers to something that is improbable or unlikely to occur.

Adverb

• Meaning: In a manner that is not likely; not probably.
• Usage: Describes the degree of improbability in an action or event.

Phrases

• “It’s unlikely that he’ll arrive on time.”
• “An unlikely partnership formed between two competitors.”
• “The team’s chances of winning are quite unlikely.”

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “Despite his best efforts, it was unlikely that he would pass the exam.”
• Adverb: “She found it unlikely that her theory would be accepted by the scientific community.”
• Noun: “The discovery of a cure for cancer is considered an unlikely prospect in the near future.”

Synonyms (Adjective)

• Unlikelyhood
• Improbable
• Remote
• Unlikelyness
• Unlikeliness

Synonyms (Adverb)

• Unlikelyley
• Unlikely
• Seldom
• Rarely
• Infrequently

Antonyms

• Probable
• Likely
• Almost certain
• Virtually certain

Notes

• The adverb form “unlikelyly” is less common, but still recognized as a variant. It is often preferred to “unlike” when emphasizing the manner in which something is unlikely.