unlikely
Not expected to
Unlikely describes something improbable or not expected to happen: It's unlikely we'll finish on time.
The word softens predictions and hedges claims.
An unlikely candidate or unlikely hero succeeds despite low expectations.
Unlikely also describes combinations that seem mismatched: an unlikely friendship between a cat and a crow.
Not likely true
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- implausibleUnlikely to be true
farfetched · remote · slim · faint · outside · long · odds · chance
Presumed loser beforehand
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- longshotUnlikely to succeed
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
comeback · upset · sleeper · wild card · against all odds · rags to riches · David and Goliath · surprise winner
Inclined to question claims
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
hesitant · wary · mistrustful · cynical · doubtful · suspicious · questioning · unpersuaded
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- surprisingCausing mild shock
- astonishingCausing great wonder
startling · unlooked-for · unpredictable · anomaly · fluke · twist · coincidence · curveball
Unlikely twosome
- mismatchedNot fitting together properly
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
- strange bedfellowsImprobable alliance of opposites
- incompatibleUnable to exist together
disparate · paradoxical · juxtaposition · contrast · alliance · friendship · combination · duo
improbable
Not likely true
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- questionableOf uncertain validity
implausible · farfetched · remote · slim · faint · outside · long · odds · chance · probability
underdog
Presumed loser beforehand
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- longshotUnlikely to succeed
Cinderella story · comeback · upset · sleeper · wild card · against all odds · rags to riches · David and Goliath · surprise winner
skeptical
Inclined to question claims
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
dubious · hesitant · wary · mistrustful · cynical · doubtful · suspicious · questioning · unpersuaded
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- surprisingCausing mild shock
astonishing · startling · unlooked-for · unpredictable · anomaly · fluke · twist · coincidence · curveball · bolt from the blue
odd couple
Unlikely twosome
- mismatchedNot fitting together properly
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
- strange bedfellowsImprobable alliance of opposites
incompatible · disparate · paradoxical · juxtaposition · contrast · alliance · friendship · combination · duo
- probabilityprobability, chance, random, randomness, odds
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- chancechance, luck, lottery, dice, randomness
- Possibilitymaybe, perhaps, possibly, could, might
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- Unlikelyimprobable, doubtful, dubious, remote, rare
unlikelybelievable
Able to convince
plausible · credible · realistic · convincing · conceivable
- unlikely heroImprobable savior figure
- not unlikeSimilar, stated negatively
unlike, unliked, unlikes, unlikelihood, unlikeness, unlikeable, unlikeliness, unlikeliest, unlikelier