unlikely
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for unlikely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not probable; not expected to happen.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use unlikely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unlikely event
unlikely hero
highly unlikely
Etymology
From Middle English unlikely, from "un-" + "likely."
Full origin of unlikely →Frequently asked questions
What does “unlikely” mean?
The word “unlikely” means not probable; not expected to happen. In plain terms, not likely to happen or be true; improbable.
How do you pronounce “unlikely”?
“Unlikely” is pronounced uhn-LYK-lee (/ʌnˈlaɪkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “unlikely” in a sentence?
Here is “unlikely” used in a sentence: “It seems unlikely that they'll finish the project on time.”
What part of speech is “unlikely”?
“Unlikely” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unlikely” come from?
The word “unlikely” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unlikely, from "un-" + "likely.".
Is “unlikely” a common word?
“Unlikely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'impossible'?
"Unlikely" means something is not probable but could still happen, while "impossible" means it cannot happen at all. Rain in a desert is unlikely, but water flowing uphill on its own is impossible.
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'improbable'?
Both mean not probable, but "improbable" is slightly more formal and often appears in technical or statistical contexts, while "unlikely" is the everyday choice. In most sentences they are interchangeable, as in "an unlikely outcome" or "an improbable outcome."
What grammar patterns follow 'unlikely'?
"Unlikely" is commonly followed by a "to" infinitive, as in "she is unlikely to agree," or by a "that" clause, as in "it is unlikely that they will come." It can also modify a noun directly, as in "an unlikely hero."
What is the difference between 'unlikely' and 'unlikable'?
"Unlikely" means not probable, while "unlikable" (also spelled "unlikeable") means hard to like. They look similar but are unrelated, so "an unlikely candidate" is improbable, whereas "an unlikable candidate" is unpleasant.
