1.
surely not; never would have thought; by no means
Expresses strong disbelief or the assumption that something is extremely unlikely. More literary and emphatic than まさか, often followed by a negative expression or an expression of disbelief.
Usage
A literary adverb expressing strong disbelief or the conviction that something is nearly impossible. More formal and dramatic than まさか. Often appears in the pattern よもや～とは (never would have thought that ~) or よもや～まい (surely ~ won't happen). Gained renewed popularity through the anime Demon Slayer (鬼滅の刃), where the phrase よもやよもやだ was used memorably.
Common patterns
- よもや～とは (never would have thought that ~)
- よもや～まい (surely ~ won't)
- よもやよもや (expressing extreme disbelief — emphatic repetition)