Likely
Likely adverb - By reasonable assumption.
Usage example: the picnic will likely be cancelled if the storm continues
Possibly is a synonym for likely in probability topic. In some cases you can use "Possibly" instead the word "Likely" as an adverb or an adjective, when it comes to topics like presumably.
Nearby Word: like
Possibly
Possibly adverb - It is possible.
Usage example: he may possibly recover after such a serious mistake, but it doesn't seem likely
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Synonyms for Possibly
Likely is a synonym for possibly in probability topic. You can use "Likely" instead the word "Possibly" as an adverb or an adjective, if it concerns topics such as by chance, presumably.
Nearby Words: possible, possibility
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- reasonable and likely
- reasonable and possibly
- possible and likely
- possible and possibly
- apparently and likely
- apparently and possibly
- presumably and likely
- presumably and possibly
- probably and likely
- probably and possibly
- doubtless and likely
- doubtless and possibly
- seemingly and likely
- seemingly and possibly
Both words in one sentence
- Possibly others, but we don't see the most likely candidates in conflicts where violence is likely.
Source: Webcomic / The Princess - In the end, he resolves that when he is old he'll be "going like a maniac." Hobbes immediately states that the world can't possibly wait for such a day, his voice (most likely) dripping with sarcasm.
Source: Screw Politeness, I'm a Senior! - Not likely to do much, but it could possibly save you if you're in a really bad situation.
Cite this Source
Possibly and Likely. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/possibly
Likely & Possibly. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/possibly>.
Possibly or Likely. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/possibly.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "likely" and "possibly" have occurred on timeline