probable

adjective

ˈprä-bə-bəl How to pronounce probable (audio)
Definition of probablenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Officially, probable 2028 POTUS candidate Newsom’s office did not have anything to say about any deal or the end of any deal on SB 122. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 The probable winners, according to polling, are either former military chief Valery Zalyuzhni, or Fedorov himself. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 But the insurgent left has again and again upset leadership plans with high-risk choices to serve its own factional agenda, putting at risk once-probable Senate victories in Maine, Michigan, and some House seats too. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026 The total includes early probable-cause proceedings, misdemeanor cases and a pending civil lawsuit. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probable
  1. plausible
  2. possible
  3. credible
  4. likely
  5. inevitable
  6. potential
Adjective
  • Lauren, at least, seemed like the more plausible repeat customer.
    — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When generating text, large language models pick each next word from a set of plausible candidates.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of plausible
Adjective
  • Sunlight Place the plant in a sunny window, south-facing if possible, and give it four to six hours of sunlight each day.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • While independence allows central bankers to make decisions without short-term political interference from presidents wanting to juice the economy, credible external scrutiny helps provide the democratic legitimacy for that independence.
    — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The difference is that EB-1A rewards objective distinction, while NIW rewards a persuasive national-interest case tied to a credible plan.
    — Lorraine D'Alessio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of credible
Adjective
  • And the latest poll, conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, found 48% of likely voters support it, 41% oppose it and 11% are undecided.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Students whose total cost of attendance exceeds their available federal borrowing are likely to feel the changes most directly.
    — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of likely
Adjective
  • The departure of Cooper, co-founder of the Gen-Z podcast empire Unwell, was seen as inevitable, per numerous sources.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ocean views were inevitable at any position in the room—a reminder of your plot on top of nature’s infinity pool.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inevitable
Adjective
  • Managers can instead adjust the balance between option premiums, dividend yield and potential capital gains.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And with players in major European leagues still able to depart their clubs beyond the deadline, there is potential for big deals to still be done in the coming days.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of potential

Browse Nearby Words

probability
probable
probably
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Cite this Entry

“Probable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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