Antonyms for chance

Grammar : Adj, noun, verb

Spell : chans, chahns

Phonetic Transcription : tʃæns, tʃɑns

Definition of chance

Origin : c.1300, "something that takes place, what happens, an occurrence" (good or bad, but more often bad), from Old French cheance "accident, chance, fortune, luck, situation, the falling of dice" (12c., Modern French chance), from Vulgar Latin *cadentia "that which falls out," a term used in dice, from neuter plural of Latin cadens, present participle of cadere "to fall" (see case (n.1)).
In English frequently in plural, chances. The word's notions of "opportunity" and "randomness" are as old as the record of it in English and now all but crowd out the word's original notion of "mere occurrence." Main chance "thing of most importance" is from 1570s, bearing the older sense. The mathematical (and hence odds-making) sense is attested from 1778. To stand a chance (or not) is from 1796.
To take (one's) chances "accept what happens" (early 14c.) is from the old, neutral sense; to take a chance/take chances is originally (by 1814) "participate in a raffle or lottery or game;" extended sense of "take a risk" is by 1826.

adj accidental, unforeseeable
noun possibility, probability
noun fate, luck
noun gamble, risk
verb risk, endanger
verb happen

Example sentences :

Without reasons I was sure of, you know, so there could be no chance of any mistake.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

And what avails skill in music, if there is no chance to display it?
Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child

But if she had any such thing I'm sure it was ended, and she'd have jumped at this chance a year ago.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

He took a cab and was driven to the local branch of his favourite temple of chance.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Will you take care of some money for me until I get a chance to deposit it in the savings bank?
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

Is there any chance of making Mr. Davis return the money my father deposited with him?
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

In the broad pathways of the ocean such a chance is doubtful.
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

"There is not one chance in ten that he is living," he said.
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

He drove first to the Milbrey house, on the chance that she might be at home.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

I know more than one New York girl who'd have jumped at the chance.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Synonyms for chance

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019