promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ 

: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results

a promising new medicine

promisingly adverb

Synonyms of promising

• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• likely

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

An upcoming once-daily pill form of tirzepatide, called orforglipron, has shown promising results during clinical trials and is awaiting FDA approval. —Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

But Mizzou saw a promising 21-point lead shrink to just one in the final second. —Joseph Pastilha, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

When a promising romantic interest enters the picture, his friends question the relationship’s validity and his dating choices, creating friction for him within the group. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026

Fortunately, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) offered a more promising alternative to GE-type regulations by applying similar and simple rules across different types of schools. —David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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