1
as in to vow
to make a solemn declaration of intent
they promised to keep in touch with us after they moved away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to predict
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome
given the cast, the new sitcom promises to be an excellent show
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in vow
a person's solemn declaration that he or she will do or not do something
he made a promise to arrive on time, come hell or high water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of promise
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Sales for The Wishing Chair were promising enough that for the next record, Elektra hired producer Peter Asher, a veteran hitmaker who’d worked with Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
California faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits several years in a row, forcing painful cuts last year such as a rollback on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
—Trân Nguyễn, Fortune, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for promise
Verb
Next Round Of Vendor Selection Will the AI, as a potential and promising useful idiot, take the bait?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Sales for The Wishing Chair were promising enough that for the next record, Elektra hired producer Peter Asher, a veteran hitmaker who’d worked with Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.
—Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Noun
In some ways, Rashad has fulfilled that promise.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
California faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits several years in a row, forcing painful cuts last year such as a rollback on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
—Trân Nguyễn, Fortune, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for promise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promise
Verb
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The two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, spoke of a halcyon California destroyed by feckless Democrats and vowed a return to those days.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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However, Havana has rejected past overtures — including Washington’s recent offer of $100 million in aid — while the regime has vowed to hold on to power despite rising domestic and foreign pressures.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The pin positions were far more accessible than the previous two days, as McIlroy had predicted.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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That’s for our golf coverage team at Aronimink — Brendan Quinn, Gabby Herzig and Brody Miller — to predict.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The pledge outlined steps the festival would take to move toward greater inclusion of women in its lineup, including generating gendered statistics for its annual program, while working toward achieving gender equity in its governing bodies and programming committees.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
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Pressure for Starmer to step aside has intensified since Labour suffered disastrous losses in local and regional elections last week, underscoring voter frustration with a government that has failed to deliver on pledges to boost economic growth and improve living standards for working people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But in the early days of the Maniacs, everyone swears that Merchant was a shrieking dervish during shows, exorcising her teenage demons on the stage of every bar in the Rust Belt.—
Dan Kois,
Pitchfork,
17 May 2026
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During the middle of the day when the sun was brightest, visitors swore they had been transported to a faraway tropical island.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Legislation in Washington proposes offsetting any lost Highway Trust Fund revenue with general funds, but critics warn that could raise the federal deficit — and potentially jeopardize the long-term sustainability of infrastructure projects.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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But legislative budget experts warned last year of a potential AI bubble that could worsen the state's finances.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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At the last rate-setting meeting in April, three members of the committee hinted their next move could as easily be a rate increase as a cut.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 May 2026
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Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Fans at Easton Stadium anticipated another grand slam, holding up their cellphones hoping to catch some magic.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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The titles that are less eagerly anticipated can wait another day.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Promise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promise. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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