promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ How to pronounce promising (audio)
Synonyms of promisingnext
: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results
a promising new medicine
promisingly adverb

Synonyms of promising

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Examples of promising in a Sentence

The neighborhood didn't look very promising. a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Expanding and elevating dignified work to meet our society’s unmet needs provides one of our most promising paths. — Gene Sperling, Time, 1 July 2026 Any team would love to have an All-Pro linebacker in Brooks to go along with another 100-tackle player and a promising rookie. — Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter. — Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 While Chase DeLauter has returned, the team's scoring challenges have necessitated relying on promising prospects. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for promising

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of promising was in 1594

Rhymes for promising

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Browse Nearby Words

promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world
promising
promissor
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Cite this Entry

“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promising. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

promising

adjective
prom·​is·​ing
ˈpräm-ə-siŋ
: likely to turn out well
a promising student
promisingly
-siŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on promising

Nglish: Translation of promising for Spanish Speakers

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