probably

(adverbs)

Found 13 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

chances are

High chance (idiom)

T1

Nuance: Likely

Common idiom; friendly tone.

Boring

The bus will probably be late because the roads are icy.

Better

Chances are, the bus will be late because the roads are icy.

likely

High chance

T1

Nuance: High chance

Common and clear.

Boring

The package will probably arrive tomorrow since it reached the local facility overnight.

Better

The package is likely to arrive tomorrow since it reached the local facility overnight.

most likely

High chance

T1

Nuance: Very likely

Very common and clear.

Boring

She will probably choose the simpler option if she is in a hurry.

Better

She will most likely choose the simpler option if she is in a hurry.

there’s a good chance

High chance (phrase)

T1

Nuance: Likely

Very clear; best as a full phrase.

Boring

We probably have a quiz tomorrow, so I’ll review my notes tonight.

Better

There’s a good chance we have a quiz tomorrow, so I’ll review my notes tonight.

in all likelihood

High chance (formal-ish)

T2

Nuance: Very likely

More formal; good for writing.

Boring

Probably, the new schedule will confuse some students at first.

Better

In all likelihood, the new schedule will confuse some students at first.

it is likely that

High chance (clause opener)

T2

Nuance: Likely

Clear; slightly formal.

Boring

It is probably true that the missing page fell out of my notebook because the rings were open.

Better

It is likely that the missing page fell out of my notebook because the rings were open.

more likely than not

High chance (clear)

T2

Nuance: Probably

Means it is more likely than the opposite.

Boring

Probably, the team will win because they have already beaten this opponent twice.

Better

More likely than not, the team will win because they have already beaten this opponent twice.

odds are

High chance (idiom)

T2

Nuance: Likely

Common; slightly more “mathy” than chances are.

Boring

We will probably need extra time to finish the lab report because two graphs still need labels.

Better

Odds are, we will need extra time to finish the lab report because two graphs still need labels.

almost certainly

Very high chance

T3

Nuance: Very likely

Very strong; close to “definitely.”

Boring

The streets will probably be empty early on a Sunday morning, when most stores are closed.

Better

The streets will almost certainly be empty early on a Sunday morning, when most stores are closed.

highly likely

Very high chance

T3

Nuance: Very likely

Strong; sounds a bit formal.

Boring

The weather is probably going to clear up by afternoon because the clouds are thinning.

Better

It is highly likely that the weather will clear up by afternoon because the clouds are thinning.

in all probability

High chance (formal)

T3

Nuance: Likely

Formal; good in essays.

Boring

Probably, the committee will approve the plan because it saves money.

Better

In all probability, the committee will approve the plan because it saves money.

in the likely event that

High chance (formal phrase)

T3

Nuance: Likely event

Formal; changes sentence structure.

Boring

We probably have a quiz tomorrow so I will redo the practice problems tonight.

Better

In the likely event that we have a quiz tomorrow, I will redo the practice problems tonight.

presumably

Assumed likely (formal)

T3

Nuance: Assumption

Means “we assume so,” not 100% sure.

Boring

Probably, the train will arrive soon, but the screen has not updated yet.

Better

Presumably, the train will arrive soon, but the screen has not updated yet.