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

Sharp is a promising 3-and-D prospect who earned Big 12 Conference All-Defensive Team honors at Houston. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Today’s biotechnology landscape is arguably more promising—and more uncertain than at any point in history. — Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Nvidia has been building up stakes in some of the world's most promising AI companies in recent years. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 21 July 2026

The scene involves Harries’ Matt Hagen, a promising actor in Gotham, attending a premiere. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 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