SuaviloquyToday’s word

improbable

Improbable, a.

Etymology: [L. improbabilis; pref. im- not + probabilis probable: cf. F. improbable. See Probable.]

Not probable; unlikely to be true; not to be expected under the circumstances or in the usual course of events; as, an improbable story or event. He . . . sent to Elutherius, then bishop of Rome, an improbable letter, as some of the contents discover. Milton. -- Im*prob"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prob"a*bly, adv.

Shades of meaning

Fernald lists improbable only as an antonym, under apparent, imminent, likely.

He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.

Synonyms

none given