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
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.
Recent Examples of promises
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
This year’s election cycle also promises to be another showdown of moneyed interests via dueling ballot measures, with those either increasing or decreasing taxes at the top of the heap.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Season 8 promises more family drama amid the ongoing feud between Tammy and Amy.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The blurb promises a one-last-job kind of story, fitting for the conclusion to a modern classic of the crime genre.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Rushdie’s sprawling picaresque is, as the title promises, a riff on Don Quixote.
—Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Make no mistake, Malinin still promises to make the Milano Ice Skating Arena his own personal launch pad.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
If a program promises to erase debt overnight or guarantees specific results, that's a red flag.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
After two divisive sequels, the latest game promises to take us back to the series' roots, letting players control four separate factions across more than 70 campaign missions.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Many evangelical Christians believe that the promises God made to the Jewish people in the Old Testament still hold, Lahmeyer said.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
The president has been receiving some backlash from his core supporters over his emphasis on foreign policy and international dealings rather than his pledged America first promises.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani did make some nods to boosting bureaucratic efficiency and improving public safety, but populists always pepper their speeches with promises that almost everyone can support.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite earlier promises that the East Wing would be undisturbed, a White House official reportedly told The New York Times in late October that it was being demolished for the ballroom.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
During the Obama and Biden administrations, the US used its bully pulpit to drag more recalcitrant countries like China and the Gulf petrostates to the table and sign them on to promises to cut carbon and shell out cash to help poorer countries.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
In the 30-minute phone call, first reported by The New York Times, Obama said he was invested in Mamdani's success and the two discussed the challenges of staffing a new administration and accomplishing Mamdani's campaign promises.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2025
Verb
Written and directed by Sarnoski, the film promises to offer a much darker take on the Robin Hood stories that explores the end of the character’s life.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
This year’s election cycle also promises to be another showdown of moneyed interests via dueling ballot measures, with those either increasing or decreasing taxes at the top of the heap.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Season 8 promises more family drama amid the ongoing feud between Tammy and Amy.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The blurb promises a one-last-job kind of story, fitting for the conclusion to a modern classic of the crime genre.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Rushdie’s sprawling picaresque is, as the title promises, a riff on Don Quixote.
—Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Make no mistake, Malinin still promises to make the Milano Ice Skating Arena his own personal launch pad.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
If a program promises to erase debt overnight or guarantees specific results, that's a red flag.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
After two divisive sequels, the latest game promises to take us back to the series' roots, letting players control four separate factions across more than 70 campaign missions.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Democrats finally discovered that, after getting burned in 2024 and are making big promises to improve affordability, Luntz said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
The trend, Morales said, should come as a giant, blinking warning sign for Republicans, who ran in 2024 on promises to decrease inflation and improve the cost of living for everyday Americans.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Many evangelical Christians believe that the promises God made to the Jewish people in the Old Testament still hold, Lahmeyer said.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
The president has been receiving some backlash from his core supporters over his emphasis on foreign policy and international dealings rather than his pledged America first promises.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani did make some nods to boosting bureaucratic efficiency and improving public safety, but populists always pepper their speeches with promises that almost everyone can support.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite earlier promises that the East Wing would be undisturbed, a White House official reportedly told The New York Times in late October that it was being demolished for the ballroom.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
During the Obama and Biden administrations, the US used its bully pulpit to drag more recalcitrant countries like China and the Gulf petrostates to the table and sign them on to promises to cut carbon and shell out cash to help poorer countries.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
In the 30-minute phone call, first reported by The New York Times, Obama said he was invested in Mamdani's success and the two discussed the challenges of staffing a new administration and accomplishing Mamdani's campaign promises.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promises
Verb
-
But now, as Williams vows to spend the new tax money only on health care and seeks from the District Attorney’s Office some of the proportionately biggest county budget reduction targets, public safety advocates say they were misled.—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Speaking out against the horrors of war is the solemn oath anyone who puts their byline of any story vows to do.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For now, Larry Hu, chief China economist at Macquarie, predicts home construction completions will fall by 12% in the year ahead, after a 17% drop last year.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The National Weather Service predicts that the severe weather and tornado threat has ended for much of Oklahoma on Thursday, over Norman, Moore, Oklahoma City and Edmond, yet is not in the clear for cities east of the metro.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
New Year’s resolutions can be a helpful push toward progress, but many of us make the same pledges each year, with little success.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Marharyta Fal / Frontliner via Getty Images Until recently, much of the allies’ focus was on pledges of military aid for Ukraine’s forces and possible contributions to an international reassurance force.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
-
An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The report warns that the average global temperature rise over multiple decades is likely to exceed the Paris Agreement threshold within the next decade.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Climate Prediction Center warns of potential early-season lake-effect snow in northern Ohio, gusty winds and temperatures well below normal, especially in areas near Lake Erie and in higher terrain.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But Raevyn hints that her twin brother Finch is involved in the killings.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Some early research hints that cold triggers parasympathetic activation (the body’s calming response), but most of the buzz here comes from anecdotal sources, not clinical trials.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Netflix’s George Clooney vehicle is also showbiz-focused, which usually bodes well for its awards prospects.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With the transition to 2026, the Year of the Horse bodes a different kind of energy, one marked by intense forward momentum, which sounds equal parts exciting and scary.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Promises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promises. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share