promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ How to pronounce promising (audio)
: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results
a promising new medicine
promisingly adverb

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
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.
Stark noted that ascension has made Suarez one of the most promising pending free agents in the sport. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 His firing came on the same day two of the team’s most promising young stars, outfielder James Wood and pitcher Mackenzie Gore, made the National League All-Star team for the first time. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 The housing commission’s diversion initiative is similarly promising. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025 Among high-risk, high-reward prospects, Powell ranks among the more promising. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for promising

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of promising was in 1594

Cite this Entry

“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promising. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

promising

adjective
prom·​is·​ing
ˈpräm-ə-siŋ
: likely to turn out well
a promising student
promisingly
-siŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on promising

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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