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

Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics, wrote Wednesday that while growth has long been expected to slow, the recent economic data held some promising signs of stabilizing consumer activity. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Activision’s blockbuster first-person shooter will finally make its way to the box office’s frontlines with a promising pedigree and a prime summer release date. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

After a promising reception to its initial public offering, the stock of Elon Musk's rocket company has steadily sunk. — Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post, 15 July 2026

Those who get lost in the new-wave draft shuffle are the promising high school prospects and the junior college gems. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 14 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