CHANCES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

chances 1 of 2

noun

plural of chance

as in luck

the uncertain course of events rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opportunities

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in probabilities

a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in gambles

a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure things

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

as in risks

to take a chance on I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

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as in happens

to take place there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chances

Noun

His pure skill level isn’t high-end, but Orlov can make plays under pressure and create some chances. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Research shows those building codes reduce the chances homes will be destroyed. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 This tends to boost the chances for normal to above-normal snow in places like Wolf Creek, Telluride, Purgatory and the San Juan Mountains. — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 Its volatile stock closely tracks investors’ perceived chances of cashing in on the GLP-1 boom. — Joseph Wilkins,lee Ying Shan,yun Li, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 The running text would distract from interviews of newsmakers, for example, but executives do see more chances to use it. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, the play could end up hurting his chances of making Carolina’s final roster. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Speaking of chances, Richard, Leykin and Wiskus were named to the world team. — Nancy Armour, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms are possible into the weekend. — Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

According to the Climate Prediction Center, Southern states in a stretch from Texas through Florida will have the highest chances of above-average temperatures, but chances favor high temperatures for most of the lower half of the country. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Rain chances drop on Sunday as the deep moisture shifts north-northwest. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Storm chances increase from about 30% in the morning up to about 70% by the evening. — Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026 The rain chances grew, nearly doubling to 60% on Sunday into Monday, according to the service. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Strip a player of All-Star designation, potentially damaging his Hall of Fame chances? — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 July 2026 That deficit set off a litany of Boise chances in the final 10 minutes. — Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 Spain finally got on the board after dominating possession and chances thus far. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026 Wednesday will feature morning and evening storm chances with a slight threat — 2 on a scale of 5— of severe conditions. — Chris Shaffer, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances

Noun

Lan Larison had some hard luck with the rushing lanes he was given, but otherwise gave the offense no juice.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
The Green Lantern, a secondary figure in the DC Comics pantheon, had the ill luck to be trapped in a 2011 Ryan Reynolds film even its director didn’t like.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of luck

Noun

European observers will see the moon low in the western sky before dawn, creating dramatic opportunities to see and photograph the eclipsed moon above city skylines, coastlines and mountain landscapes as morning twilight begins.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
The fair is an easy way for children, families, adults and seniors to find volunteer opportunities that align with their interests and schedules, a news release said.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of opportunities

Noun

Following the July jobs report on Friday, those percentages shifted, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool, which tracks probabilities of changes to the rate based on 30-Day Fed Funds futures prices.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Right now, the probabilities of heavier rain for Sunday are greatest in the Laurel Highlands, but this may shift a bit depending on the speed of the system and location of a cold front Sunday afternoon and evening.

— Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of probabilities

Noun

All these missions are complex, high-cost gambles for China that would consume large quantities of military assets and result in immense casualties and property damage.

— Eugene Gholz, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
The fifth-year pro is 100 percent aggressive, 100 percent of the time, taking wild gambles that result in either pick-sixes or soul-crushing defensive breakdowns.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of gambles

Verb

Others warn the strategy risks civilian casualties, particularly in Colombia, where armed groups operate among civilian populations and often function as de facto authorities in areas beyond the state’s reach.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Such concessions would be unpopular, and Netanyahu risks losing power.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

But the public should also understand what happens when institutions reduce job security while continuing to pay way less than competing employers.

— Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
What happens there remains to be seen but, even if the EFL sees off that legal threat, this is far from the end of the organisation’s work on financial regulations — especially in the bottom two divisions.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of happens

Noun

And yet while some clubs of a similar size were happy to keep selling players to re-invest, Tottenham generally only did so with first-team players in very specific circumstances.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Making this call can sometimes be a tough decision and of course everybody is different and has different circumstances.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of circumstances

Noun

Public and political interests and opinions can shift quickly, which Fleming says could impact whether other companies make future ventures into psychedelics.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Aug. 2026
Instead, countries should embrace policies that incentivize formal remittances and shift their focus from providing safety nets for vulnerable families and personal properties to productive ventures and investments.

— Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026