1
as in vows
to make a solemn declaration of intent
they promised to keep in touch with us after they moved away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in predicts
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 pledges
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 promises
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
But the next evolution promises the biggest step forward yet.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
This psychological horror drama follows Alexa, a woman returning to Costa Rica with her partner in search of ancestral connection at a spiritual retreat that promises healing and authenticity.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
Why so much local opposition if AI promises economic glory?
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That promises to be a good matchup of two playoff teams from a season ago.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Google also promises that AI answers will include more links generally.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Ada County Republican voters will have a choice for county coroner on their ballots between a longtime death investigator and a newcomer who promises an overhaul of the office.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Fernández, a political scientist who is the second woman to lead the Central American country, promises a seamless continuation of the political movement established by Chaves.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
This newsroom-wide project brings fast facts as stories unfold — making sure our local officials and institutions are telling the truth, serving our communities well and following through on their promises.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
When promises meet reality Several of the brands named in the report pushed back.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Time for Starship to fulfill its promises … The US commercial space industry is depending on lower launch costs and higher capacity.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Trump regains some strength on immigration Although economic promises were pivotal to Trump’s reelection, so were his goals of stricter immigration enforcement — and this issue may be reemerging as an asset.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Guerin took a calculated risk in acquiring Hughes without any promises that the 2024 Norris Trophy winner would sign an extension.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
But polling shows that voters believe Starmer hasn't delivered on promises to improve government services and the cost of living.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2026
That is what empty promises look like.
—Kathleen Lucente, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
Use a commercial preventive spray that promises to clean and kill algae and prevent it from returning.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
But the next evolution promises the biggest step forward yet.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
This psychological horror drama follows Alexa, a woman returning to Costa Rica with her partner in search of ancestral connection at a spiritual retreat that promises healing and authenticity.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
Why so much local opposition if AI promises economic glory?
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That promises to be a good matchup of two playoff teams from a season ago.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Google also promises that AI answers will include more links generally.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Ada County Republican voters will have a choice for county coroner on their ballots between a longtime death investigator and a newcomer who promises an overhaul of the office.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Fernández, a political scientist who is the second woman to lead the Central American country, promises a seamless continuation of the political movement established by Chaves.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Noun
Authorities often dispensed empty promises that projects would be replaced with better structures, ones less vulnerable to crime, damp and black mold, and not flawed by the kind of dangerous cost-cutting construction that led to London’s Grenfell Tower burning down in 2017, killing 72 people.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
This newsroom-wide project brings fast facts as stories unfold — making sure our local officials and institutions are telling the truth, serving our communities well and following through on their promises.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
When promises meet reality Several of the brands named in the report pushed back.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Time for Starship to fulfill its promises … The US commercial space industry is depending on lower launch costs and higher capacity.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Trump regains some strength on immigration Although economic promises were pivotal to Trump’s reelection, so were his goals of stricter immigration enforcement — and this issue may be reemerging as an asset.
—Linley Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Guerin took a calculated risk in acquiring Hughes without any promises that the 2024 Norris Trophy winner would sign an extension.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
But polling shows that voters believe Starmer hasn't delivered on promises to improve government services and the cost of living.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2026
That is what empty promises look like.
—Kathleen Lucente, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promises
Verb
-
Magyar vows to restore democratic institutions, investigate alleged corruption under Orbán, repair relations with the European Union and reduce Hungarian dependency on Russia.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Creasy vows to avenge the Rayburns’ death and protect Poe (Billie Boullet), Rayburn’s teenage daughter who survived and witnessed the attack.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In fact, the probability of a rate hike this year has increased, according to CME FedWatch, which predicts changes to the Fed's benchmark rate based on futures prices.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
For a few years now, there’s been at least one young Western Conference team that catapults up the standings from the lottery more dramatically than anyone predicts.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Bottoms centers her pitch on pledges to bolster pre-K programs and expand Medicaid.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
-
These pledges have allowed Trump to spin this summit as a success, but Xi has an emperor’s appreciation of the role a few choice gifts can play in securing leverage over a foreign power.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Jack Schlossberg swears there is a method to his madness.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The superb ensemble includes Lyudmilla Ignatenko (Jessie Buckley) as the wife of a firefighter mortally wounded in the initial hours of the disaster and the fictional Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) as a scientist who warns political leaders about the consequences of inaction.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
14 May 2026
-
Real quick Canada's fentanyl czar warns more lethal synthetic opioids are on the way.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Some hints about what is happening The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
-
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
-
Surveys show a majority of potential travelers are interested in American history, and that visitation to national parks is up 18% so far this year, which bodes well for a state with a patriotic vibe and several parks and monuments.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Surveys show a majority of potential travelers are interested in American history, and that visitation to national parks is up 18% so far this year, which bodes well for a state with a patriotic vibe and several parks and monuments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Promises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promises. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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