1
as in bright
having qualities which inspire hope
a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
pointing toward a happy outcome
all the signs for the new business are promising
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in vowing
to make a solemn declaration of intent
they promised to keep in touch with us after they moved away
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in predicting
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome
given the cast, the new sitcom promises to be an excellent show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of promising
Time Staff, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Funding is scarce, research moves slowly, and regulatory hurdles make even the most promising ideas difficult to advance.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
After an unrelenting stretch of grey, icy days, the first glow of sunshine might inspire a trip promising a patio, bountiful tacos and a frozen drink.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for promising
Adjective
In promising trials, new immunotherapies cured cancers, and the search for cancer vaccines advanced.
—Time Staff, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Funding is scarce, research moves slowly, and regulatory hurdles make even the most promising ideas difficult to advance.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
In contrast to global subscription streamers like Netflix, Pijama is promising full transparency for rights holders.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
After an unrelenting stretch of grey, icy days, the first glow of sunshine might inspire a trip promising a patio, bountiful tacos and a frozen drink.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for promising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for promising
Adjective
-
Keep your flowers in a location that is bright but avoid direct sunlight, and keep them away from drafts, or entryways where large temperature fluctuations are likely.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of blasting its outer layers into space in a bright explosion, its inner core appears to have collapsed inward completely, forming a black hole directly.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Known for his playmaking and point guard skills when the Heat drafted Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick last year, his three-point shooting has been encouraging, albeit at a low volume because of his limited minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What’s been most encouraging is who’s leaning in.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before the election, Takaichi had announced a record 122 trillion yen budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, marking a second straight year of record spending and vowing to support households with cost-of-living pressures.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Hungary opposition leader Péter Magyar launched his campaign Sunday ahead of the April contest, vowing to return Budapest to its Western orientation.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The modern era is full of those predicting that the industrialization of the housing industry is just a few years away, only to be proved wrong.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson had just trounced Michael Dukakis in the Michigan presidential primary — despite polls predicting Dukakis would win easily.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Timeless wood pieces, plush armchairs and headboards, and earthy yet optimistic color palettes (think ivory, spring green, tawny brown, and bronze) are both serene and cozy, without feeling dusty or overly trendy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
But many believers and UAP disclosure proponents remain optimistic.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With an attorney on the plaintiffs’ side of the lawsuit colluding with the city’s team, the city could settle the claims on favorable terms.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Warren and Garcia raised ethics questions about whether ballroom donors were promised favorable treatment by the administration in exchange for their contributions.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Davidson, whose tics include swearing, is expected to attend the ceremony, meaning any winner’s speech would be observed closely by producers if it were broadcast before the 9PM watershed.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
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The swearing-in ceremony drew an array of Texas Democrats and highlighted his labor organizer roots.—
Philip Jankowski,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Public speakers echoed those concerns, questioning the district’s transparency and warning that additional reductions would further strain school communities.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This is the second time in recent weeks sailors have received warning about an Iranian live-fire drill.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promising. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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