CHANCES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

chances 1 of 2

noun

plural of chance

as in luck

the uncertain course of events rather than leave everything to chance, let's plan how we're going to spend our time in New York City

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opportunities

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place this is my one chance to succeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in probabilities

a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another the chance of being struck by lightning is very low

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in gambles

a risky undertaking it's a chance, but I think the business will be profitable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure things

chances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chance

as in risks

to take a chance on I don't think we should chance driving in this snowstorm

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as in happens

to take place there chanced to be a beautiful day when we were touring that part of Scotland

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 chances

Noun

In about nine minutes of time together at 5-on-5, that line held a 12-2 edge in shot attempts over the Ducks, including a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal, 5-2 in scoring chances and 2-0 high-danger chances. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 El Niño also shifts rainfall patterns globally, raising the chances for destructive flooding in some parts of the world. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026 These steps can reduce your chances of getting infected and limit the damage if malware does reach your computer. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 With Betts on second and Ohtani on first and no outs, Betts had several chances to steal third. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The earlier antibiotics are received, the higher are the chances of a full recovery. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 Through two games this season, Quinn has 13 individual scoring chances, six more than the next closest Sabre. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 After throwing for just 18 yards in a scoreless third quarter, Craig had multiple chances to help TCU tie or take the lead in the fourth. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026 Besides, there won’t be any more chances for people to get hurt because this is the last charter. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

On prediction market platform Kalshi, chances for a hike in October stood at just 18%, down from almost 70% a week ago. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Rain chances linger into next weekend Rain chances may linger into Saturday and Sunday, although coverage should gradually decrease. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Rain chances midweek Southeast Texas will be on the receiving end of moisture from two sources, according to forecasters. — Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 27 Sep. 2026 After dark, chances rise to 90% and the totals could exceed a half an inch, forecasters say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026 Highs are expected in the upper 80s and the rain chances for the week through Sunday hover around the 80% range — especially Wednesday when the weather service puts storm chances at 88%. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 Rain chances in Central Florida climb to 80% on Labor Day with temperatures in the 90s, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026 Rain chances along the storm's path remain over 60% on Wednesday, according to weather service forecasts. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Super-sized conferences have created a world in which the league opponents a team plays — and doesn’t play — during the regular season can be a major factor in that team’s College Football Playoff chances. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chances

Noun

It is said that touching the polished engravings of the event placed at the pedestal of the Nepomuk statue will bring luck and ensure a return to Prague.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Playing Stratego well requires randomizing the arrangement of your pieces, so luck always plays a role.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of luck

Noun

The evening brought plenty of laughs, but also a recognition that the progress CAPE and the broader AAPI entertainment community have made remains vulnerable amid an industry facing contraction, layoffs, and shrinking opportunities.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of opportunities

Noun

Second, Kalshi's own election markets will have Brier scores, which will measure the accuracy of the market's probabilities versus actual outcomes.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Sleeper also features dynamic payout scaling based on individual player probabilities, as well as classic Daily Drafts for real-time snake drafting.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of probabilities

Noun

While the human might try big gambles to come back from a significant deficit, Ataraxos would work its way back into the game slowly and methodically.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
On fourth-and-6 from the Poinciana 48, Gateway Coach Marlin Roberts and gambles on the first play of the fourth quarter.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of gambles

Verb

The policy, however, risks a downshift in hiring and an uptick in the unemployment rate, though such fallout typically takes hold after a lag time lasting several months.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
That seemingly sound advice from the master of the field now risks backfiring, Doctorow argued.

— Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

The Technion team approached the problem by rethinking what happens on the other side of the electrolysis process.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
What happens next could impact thousands of residents, farmers, commercial interests and property owners.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of happens

Noun

In the film, Frances is guided by her sense of morals in the face of really impossible circumstances.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
That allows manufacturers to identify measures suited to their circumstances, rather than follow a universal sequence of upgrades.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026