promising

1 of 2

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

promising

2 of 2

present participle of promise entry 2

Synonyms of promising

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Adjective

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Examples of promising in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
The victory capped an unlikely rise to the top of the sport for the skater who was once one of the most promising young talents in the world but retired shortly after the 2022 Olympics and missed two seasons. — Zack Pierce, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 There’s a gravity, even a melancholy to her Mary Stone, which drew on Fabares’ ability to project a genuine inner life into the least promising scenarios. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Civilizationism is thus best defined as a hierarchical and antiuniversalist grand strategy that views regional imperialism as the most legitimate and most promising way to order the world. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 The Dolphins have some promising young talent after selecting 13 players in this year’s draft. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promising

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of promising was in 1594

Rhymes for promising

See All Rhymes for promising

Browse Nearby Words

promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world
promising
promissor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promising. Accessed 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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