Likely and Would-be

Related words

Likely adjective - Having a high chance of occurring.

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Would-be and likely are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Would-be" instead an adjective "Likely".

Nearby Word: like

Would-be adjective - Unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition.

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Likely and would-be are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Likely" instead an adjective phrase "Would-be".

Similarly, though the would-be victim is usually female, males can be targeted, though their would-be aggressors are more likely to be male, or use one of the non-sexual variants.

Source: Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?
The would-be rescuers are likely to feel a great deal of angst and guilt even if they did everything they could to save them.

Source: Cut the Safety Rope
It's likely a parody of another would-be world conqueror, see the Street Fighter example above.

Source: Flung Clothing

Cite this Source

Would-be and Likely. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/would-be

Likely & Would-be. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/would-be>.

Would-be or Likely. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/likely/would-be.