probable
1 of 2adjective
prob·a·ble ˈprä-bə-bəl 
ˈprä(b)-bəl
1
: supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof
a probable hypothesis
2
: establishing a probability
probable evidence
3
: likely to be or become true or real
probable outcome
probable
2 of 2noun
: one that is probable
Synonyms
Adjective
- believable
- credible
- creditable
- likely
- plausible
- presumptive
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective It is probable that life exists outside of our planet. the counselor could find no probable reason for the girl's bizarre actions
Recent Examples on the Web
Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Anyone who has had contact with someone with a monkeypox-like rash, or who has had contact with someone who has a probable or confirmed case of monkeypox, is at high risk for infection. Virginia Langmaid, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox in an adult male Ohio resident was identified June 13 by the Ohio Department of Health. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 July 2022 The state's first probable case of monkeypox, announced three weeks ago, was an Oakland County resident. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 20 July 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox has been announced in West Virginia. Fox News, 8 July 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana was identified on June 18. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 6 July 2022 At least one in six of the patients in the study wouldn’t have met the current definition of a probable monkeypox case, according to Nicolo Girometti, who is also with the Chelsea and Westminster hospital. James Paton, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 On Friday, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services reported the first probable case on monkeypox in Kentucky. Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, 27 June 2022 Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 The Brewers have announced Aaron Ashby will start one of the games in their Memorial Day doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs but have yet to officially list their other probable. Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 May 2022 Hope Sharon Kennedy, who’s a complete shill for the probable can party. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 May 2022 The report, released Monday, shows 484 students and staff in Macomb County schools with new probable or confirmed cases of the virus linked to outbreaks or clusters during the week of Oct. 7-14. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 20 Oct. 2021 Meanwhile, Illinois public health officials on Thursday reported 1,542 new probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 42 deaths. Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 21 May 2021 Brooklyn Strong is still a possible rather than a probable. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2021 The Ohio Department of Health’s total of additional probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 is the most ever recorded on one day. Randy Ludlow, The Enquirer, 10 July 2020 During the Battle of Britain, the Squadron was credited with 126 enemy aircraft destroyed, 13 probables, and nine damaged. courant.com, 8 Nov. 2019 See More
Adjective
The first probable case of monkeypox was reported in Maricopa County on June 7. Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Anyone who has had contact with someone with a monkeypox-like rash, or who has had contact with someone who has a probable or confirmed case of monkeypox, is at high risk for infection. Virginia Langmaid, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox in an adult male Ohio resident was identified June 13 by the Ohio Department of Health. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 July 2022 The state's first probable case of monkeypox, announced three weeks ago, was an Oakland County resident. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 20 July 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox has been announced in West Virginia. Fox News, 8 July 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana was identified on June 18. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 6 July 2022 At least one in six of the patients in the study wouldn’t have met the current definition of a probable monkeypox case, according to Nicolo Girometti, who is also with the Chelsea and Westminster hospital. James Paton, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 On Friday, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services reported the first probable case on monkeypox in Kentucky. Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, 27 June 2022 Noun
The reproach went deeper: contemporary fiction was heir to an intellectual legacy that valued the probable over the improbable, the steady norm over the turbulent exception, and so was unsuited even to conceiving the scale of the crisis. Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 The Brewers have announced Aaron Ashby will start one of the games in their Memorial Day doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs but have yet to officially list their other probable. Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 May 2022 Hope Sharon Kennedy, who’s a complete shill for the probable can party. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 May 2022 The report, released Monday, shows 484 students and staff in Macomb County schools with new probable or confirmed cases of the virus linked to outbreaks or clusters during the week of Oct. 7-14. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 20 Oct. 2021 Meanwhile, Illinois public health officials on Thursday reported 1,542 new probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 42 deaths. Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 21 May 2021 Brooklyn Strong is still a possible rather than a probable. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2021 The Ohio Department of Health’s total of additional probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 is the most ever recorded on one day. Randy Ludlow, The Enquirer, 10 July 2020 During the Battle of Britain, the Squadron was credited with 126 enemy aircraft destroyed, 13 probables, and nine damaged. courant.com, 8 Nov. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Latin probabilis commendable, probable, from probare to test, approve, prove — more at prove
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1638, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing probable
Kids Definition
probable
adjective
prob·a·ble ˈprä-bə-bəl
: reasonably sure but not certain of happening or being true : likely
probable
adjective
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
Relevance
- plausible
- possible
- credible
- likely
- presumptive
- compelling
- creditable
- reasonable
- believable
- conclusive
- acceptable
- convincing
- reliable
- conceivable
- practical
- satisfying
- effective
- decisive
- telling
- persuasive
- strong
- cogent
- dependable
- imaginable
- trustworthy
- forceful
- cogitable
- specious
- sophistic
- sophistical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unlikely
- improbable
- doubtful
- implausible
- impossible
- incredible
- questionable
- unbelievable
- dubious
- absurd
- ridiculous
- inconceivable
- outlandish
- uncertain
- preposterous
- fantastical
- unthinkable
- unplausible
- far-fetched
- fantastic
- suspect
- unimaginable
- flimsy
- suspicious
- unsure
- skeptical
- useless
- hopeless
- unworkable
2
as in possible
having a high chance of occurring a probable outcome of the price increase will be lower consumption Synonyms & Similar Words
- possible
- likely
- potential
- inevitable
- conceivable
- supposable
- doubtless
- unavoidable
- imminent
- earthly
- necessary
- inescapable
- bound
- imaginable
- liable
- certain
- sure
- apt
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unlikely
- doubtful
- improbable
- questionable
- impossible
- dubious
- inconceivable
- unimaginable