promising

1 of 2

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ 

: 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

Adjective

• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• likely

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

Adjective

The sentiment can be seen through his character, an ex-caddy to a once promising star, Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson) who is trying to coach an up-and-comer. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

But these companies are facing pressures that discourage investment in promising projects. — Tom Moerenhout, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

One promising solution is the management services organization, or MSO, a model that my firm, Uplift Investors, has been at the forefront of bringing to the legal industry. — Will Hausberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

The doubleheader at PeoplesBank Arena showed off the UConn programs in a most promising light. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for promising

• unpromising

Kids Definition

promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing

ˈpräm-ə-siŋ

: likely to turn out well

a promising student

promisingly

-siŋ-lē

adverb