most likely
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for most likely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — Very probably; in all probability.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adverb
Very probably; in all probability.
“She will most likely be back before six.”
2. adjective
Having the highest probability of the options available.
“The most likely cause is a loose connection.”
likeliest
most probable
Opposites
least likely
How to use most likely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
most likely outcome
most likely cause
most likely scenario
the most likely explanation
Neutral. Slightly less committal than 'certainly' and slightly stronger than 'possibly'.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'most likely' and 'probably'?
They are close to interchangeable as adverbs, both signalling a strong but not certain expectation. 'Most likely' can also work as an adjective ranking options, which 'probably' cannot.
How likely is 'most likely'?
It is a vague quantifier rather than a number, but readers generally take it to mean a good deal better than an even chance — commonly interpreted as somewhere around 70 to 90 per cent.
