unlikelihoods
Things probably won't happen
Unlikelihoods are things that probably won't happen or conditions that seem improbable.
The word is the plural of unlikelihood, which names the quality of being unlikely or a specific improbable circumstance: Despite the unlikelihoods stacked against them, they succeeded.
The singular form sees more use; the plural appears when cataloging multiple improbable scenarios.
Things unlikely to happen
- anomaliesDepartures from expected patterns
- longshotsUnlikely winners
- outliersExtreme data points
- flukesParasitic flatworms or lucky accidents
rarities · aberrations · exceptions · statistical · odds · chances · coincidences · randomness
Unexpected narrative developments
- surprisesUnanticipated occurrences
- reversalsChanges to opposite directions
- deus ex machinaUnlikely last-minute story rescue
- coincidencesUnplanned corresponding occurrences
contrivances · implausibilities · serendipity · twists of fate · dramatic irony · suspension of disbelief · convenient timing · happenstance
Imagined sequences of events
- contingenciesPossible future events
- edge casesExtreme boundary conditions
- black swansUnforeseen high-impact occurrences
- worst-caseMost unfavorable outcome imaginable
unforeseen events · wild cards · unpredictables · blind spots · high-impact · stress tests · hedging · preparedness
improbabilities
Things unlikely to happen
flukes · rarities · aberrations · exceptions · statistical · odds · chances · coincidences · randomness · variance
plot twists
Unexpected narrative developments
- surprisesUnanticipated occurrences
- reversalsChanges to opposite directions
- deus ex machinaUnlikely last-minute story rescue
coincidences · contrivances · implausibilities · serendipity · twists of fate · dramatic irony · suspension of disbelief · convenient timing · happenstance
scenarios
Imagined sequences of events
- contingenciesPossible future events
- edge casesExtreme boundary conditions
- black swansUnforeseen high-impact occurrences
worst-case · unforeseen events · wild cards · unpredictables · blind spots · high-impact · stress tests · hedging · preparedness · vulnerability
unlikelihoodscertainties
Assured truths
likelihoods · probabilities · inevitabilities · sure things · foregone conclusions