improbable

[ im-prob-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen:

   Rain is improbable tonight.

   Synonyms: implausible, doubtful, questionable

improbable

/ ɪmˈprɒbəbəl /

adjective

1. not likely or probable; doubtful; unlikely

Derived Forms

• imˈprobably, adverb
• imˌprobaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• im·proba·bly adverb
• im·proba·ble·ness noun
• super·im·proba·ble adjective
• super·im·proba·ble·ness noun
• super·im·proba·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of improbable¹

From the Latin word improbābilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See im- ², probable

Example Sentences

If that sequence comes to pass, Scotland would finish in a improbable second place in the section and seal both a pot-one berth for the World Cup qualifying draw on December 13 and a place in March’s Nations League quarter-finals.

From BBC

Once the Trump team won what was seen as an improbable victory, they decided on an unconventional approach and fired Christie.

From BBC

Back then, the unsettling disbelief about Trump’s improbable victory led to the flowering of new movements and strategies—the launching of Indivisible to fight the GOP legislative agenda, the Women’s March to fight back against Trump’s sexism and misogyny, and eventually the Me Too movement to hold powerful men like our 45th president accountable for their sexual misconduct.

From Slate

But he more than made up for it with the bat as his unbeaten 124 from 85 balls guided England to an improbable win.

From BBC

Margaret has said that she almost shelved that book a couple of times because she just thought it was too improbable and was a premise that that we wouldn’t buy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fanciful
• implausible
• rare
• unbelievable
• unlikely