improbable

adjective

im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-bəl How to pronounce improbable (audio)
-ˈpräb-bəl
Synonyms of improbable
: unlikely to be true or to occur
an improbable story
also : unlikely but real or true
their improbable come-from-behind victory
improbability
(ˌ)im-ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce improbable (audio)
noun
improbably
(ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-blē How to pronounce improbable (audio)
-ˈpräb-blē
adverb

Synonyms of improbable

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Examples of improbable in a Sentence

The team made an improbable comeback. it seems improbable that the two writers never met since they traveled in the same social circles
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For a player who has been so improbable, the Dodgers must now do the impossible. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 That once-improbable goal is now considered a virtual toss up as other red states like Alaska, Ohio and Iowa are also in play, along with swing states North Carolina and Maine. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 The improbable comeback on Sunday, Alec Bohm’s thrilling walk-off on Friday, the Kyle Schwarber homers into the corn that started the whole thing have dramatically changed the team’s outlook in less than two weeks. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 An improbable preparation that somehow manages to be immediately familiar and comforting, this cheeseburger fried rice is a little peek into all the fun going down at Agnes and Sherman in Houston, one of our Best New Restaurants of 2026. — Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for improbable

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin improbabilis, from in- + probabilis probable

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of improbable was in 1598

Rhymes for improbable

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Browse Nearby Words

improbability
improbable
improbation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improbable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improbable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

improbable

adjective
im·​prob·​a·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-bəl How to pronounce improbable (audio)
: not probable : unlikely to be true or to occur
improbability
(ˌ)im-ˌpräb-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce improbable (audio)
noun
improbably
(ˈ)im-ˈpräb(-ə)-blē How to pronounce improbable (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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