13+ Synonyms for Likely & Similar Words

Definition of likely

adverb
  1. with considerable certainty; without much doubt; "He is probably out of the country"; "in all likelihood we are headed for war"
adjective
  1. has a good chance of being the case or of coming about; "these services are likely to be available to us all before long"; "she is likely to forget"; "a likely place for a restaurant"; "the broken limb is likely to fall"; "rain is likely"; "a likely topic for investigation"; "likely candidates for the job"
  2. likely but not certain to be or become true or real; "a likely result"; "he foresaw a probable loss"

13 synonyms found

Writing tips for "likely"

Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like believable, belike, credible can replace "likely" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.

With 13 alternatives available, "likely" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.

"Likely" in song lyrics

See how likely is used in real songs:

  • "Don't ever strike me, rollin' with Crypt that's more than likely"
    Army of the Pharaohs — Frontline
  • "Who got me? Yeah my dogs most likely"
    Army of the Pharaohs — Strike Back
  • "Or prototype 693, rolling down rotating corridors likely"
    Atoms Family — Most Can't Comprehend

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