Unlikelier: meaning, definitions and examples

Add to dictionary

unlikelier

 

[ ʌnˈlaɪkliər ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

comparative degree

The term 'unlikelier' refers to something that is less likely to happen or occur in comparison to something else. It is used to emphasize the diminished probability of an event or situation. This word is commonly used when discussing expectations or possibilities. In various contexts, it can be useful for making distinctions in levels of likelihood, often in analytical or hypothetical discussions.

Synonyms

less likely, more improbable, unanticipated

Examples of usage

  • She is unlikelier to succeed in this project than her colleagues.
  • With the weather conditions, it seems unlikelier that the event will take place.
  • He is unlikelier to vote this year compared to last year.
  • The team's chances of winning are unlikelier after the recent injuries.

Translations

Translations of the word "unlikelier" in other languages:

🇵🇹 menos provável

🇮🇳 कम संभावित

🇩🇪 weniger wahrscheinlich

🇮🇩 kurang mungkin

🇺🇦 менш ймовірний

🇵🇱 mniej prawdopodobny

🇯🇵 より可能性の低い

🇫🇷 moins probable

🇪🇸 menos probable

🇹🇷 daha az olası

🇰🇷 덜 가능성이 있는

🇸🇦 أقل احتمالاً

🇨🇿 méně pravděpodobný

🇸🇰 menej pravdepodobný

🇨🇳 不太可能的

🇸🇮 manj verjetno

🇮🇸 minna líklegt

🇰🇿 кем дегенмен ықтимал емес

🇬🇪 უფრო ნაკლებად სავარაუდო

🇦🇿 daha az ehtimal olunan

🇲🇽 menos probable

Etymology

The word 'unlikelier' is derived from the base word 'likely,' which originates from the Old Norse word 'līkr,' meaning 'like' or 'similar.' Over time, 'likely' was adopted into Middle English as 'likely' in the late 14th century, meaning 'probably' or 'having a high probability.' The prefix 'un-' is a common negative prefix in English, used to indicate negation or the opposite of a word's meaning. The comparative form 'unlikelier' follows the rules of forming comparatives in English by adding the suffix '-er' to the root word. This word gained popularity in the 20th century with the rise of statistical language in analysis and discourse.