PROBABLE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

probable

adjective

ˈprä-bə-bəl

Definition of probable

as in plausible

worthy of being accepted as true or reasonable the counselor could find no probable reason for the girl's bizarre actions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possible

having a high chance of occurring a probable outcome of the price increase will be lower consumption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 probable The New York State Department of Health has yet to officially confirm the three probable cases, according to state health department spokesperson Marissa Crary. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Health officials in New York are reporting at least three probable cases of a rare bacterial illness on Long Island. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 The county also said there is one probable case of a cyclospora infection currently under investigation. — Joseph Hernandez august 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 What the documentary doesn’t mention is that Kohberger later applied for an internship with the Pullman Police Department in fall 2022, according to the probable-cause affidavit. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for probable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probable

Adjective

If Washington continues to undercut its own advantages, China has established the foundations to provide at least some plausible replacements.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Part of his mission was to use as much of the city— particularly locations from his childhood—as possible, while making the characters' movements and transit choices actually plausible.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of plausible

Adjective

Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
With an address right in the heart of Paris, this place is ideal for first-timers who want to see as much as possible, or art lovers who are in town specifically to see the Louvre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

In a primary field that looks to be crowded by denizens of the party’s left, a credible moderate could win the nomination and, if current polling is accurate, easily defeat a MAGA GOP candidate.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
The fix is mutual education, because neither team can identify the credible worst-case consequences alone.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of credible

Adjective

Susac, whose season is likely over, is currently using crutches while wearing a large black brace on his knee while the swelling goes down.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Uraizee highlights Kalshi, the prediction-market company that waited until the tournament had started before agreeing to co-brand with ADI Predictstreet, as the likely winners.

— Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of likely

Adjective

Speaking to Variety, Sir Peter Bazalgette, the former ITV chair and longtime government adviser on the creative industries, said consolidation had become both inevitable and increasingly supported by policymakers.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
But there is something raw and honest about the way the soulful indie-pop writer-singer translates deep personal emotions into music, especially those feelings riven by doubt and insecurity, inevitable in complicated relationships.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of inevitable

Adjective

Discussion of the matter during Monday’s meeting was brief and dismissed, as the agenda instead focused on potential CFP expansion to 16 and 24 teams.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The series is designed as a multi-platform franchise with potential extensions into comics, games and merchandise.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of potential

Browse Nearby Words

probability

probable

probably

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Style

“Probable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probable. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of probable

adjective

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