promising 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-mə-siŋ How to pronounce promising (audio)
Definition of promisingnext
1
as in bright
having qualities which inspire hope a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
pointing toward a happy outcome all the signs for the new business are promising

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

promising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of promise
1
as in vowing
to make a solemn declaration of intent they promised to keep in touch with us after they moved away

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in predicting
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome given the cast, the new sitcom promises to be an excellent show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of promising
Adjective
Kantserov is one of the more promising young forwards outside the NHL, despite being a second-round pick a few years ago. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Among the most promising is Lizzie (Faye Marsay), though Coach Beard doesn’t clock her as such immediately. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Less than 48 hours later, the district approved a tentative contract with the teachers union, promising double-digit wage increases for educators over the next two years. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 Launched in 2024, Fixated is designed to be a next-generation talent agency plus production services plus distribution partner for promising creators emerging from the wild west of the creator economy. — William Earl, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promising
  1. bright
  2. encouraging
  3. vowing
  4. predicting
  5. optimistic
  6. favorable
  7. swearing
  8. warning
Adjective
  • That same day, hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse where Clancy is standing trial, wearing bright pink, in an attempt to raise awareness around maternal mental health.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • If these headsets move to 'see through' or augmented reality, the solution will likely require a MicroLED to be bright enough to compete with the daytime sun and surroundings of a drone pilot on the battlefield.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • After a worrisome Wednesday, the Falcons responded with an encouraging Thursday in their joint practice session with the Colts at Grand Park Sports Campus, which hosted its last-ever training camp session on a steamy mid-August afternoon.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His integration has been particularly encouraging given the departure of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and the uncertain future of Gabriel Martinelli.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Trade talks between Canada and the United States failed at the last minute on Friday night, reigniting the North American trade war, with Ottawa vowing to match Washington’s tariffs.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The senator is seeking to pressure FWS to change course by vowing to place a hold on any nominees the president plans to bring before the upper chamber this fall.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of vowing
Verb
  • Coming off a season in which the Group of 5 sent two teams to the College Football Playoff, predicting what will happen in 2026 is more difficult than ever.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts who spoke to ABC News acknowledged the difficulty in predicting when the most severe effects of the ballooning debt may materialize but warned that regardless of the answer, the current trajectory is unsustainable.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicting
Adjective
  • On the battlefield, Zelenskyy was optimistic, saying Ukraine had almost completely regained control of the Dnipropetrovsk region, with only about 10 square kilometers and three small villages remaining outside Ukrainian control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Mexican producers are optimistic that the border reopening might staunch over a year of financial bleeding.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Adjective
  • The mayors coalition argues that while any type of bond is not always favorable, addressing the state's housing crisis is necessary.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The senior Canadian official said the emerging agreement would provide greater certainty, protect Canada’s dairy sector and jobs threatened by the new tariffs, and preserve what Ottawa considers favorable trade terms with the United States.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorable
Verb
  • As Sportico detailed last year, McEnroe remembers MSG employees asking Oakley to leave and Oakley responding by swearing at them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Those reactions may lead you to respond by rolling your eyes, swearing at the steering wheel or flipping off the driver.
    — Jessica Griffin, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of swearing
Verb
  • Andrei Klepach, a former deputy economy minister, was reportedly fired after presenting a report warning that Russia could not win a prolonged war of attrition with Ukraine and predicting a major social crisis.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The alert went out warning students to avoid Eddy Hall after the bear was spotted hiding near the academic building.
    — Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of warning

Browse Nearby Words

promises
promising
promisingly
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Cite this Entry

“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promising. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of promising for Spanish Speakers

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