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

The New York Mets are in disarray thanks to a brutal start to what was supposed to be a promising season. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

The then-teenager began the year on a promising note, defeating Simone Biles at the American Cup. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Combined, the handful of upside surprises is making for a stronger-than-expected domestic box office and a promising foundation for the second half of the year as the industry chases pre-pandemic levels. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 27 June 2026

Even more promising for the auto industry, the coating showed excellent long-term stability when the researchers exposed it to water and humidity tests. — New Atlas, 26 June 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