unpromising

adjective

Definition of unpromisingnext
1
as in unfavorable

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in irreparable

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 unpromising This is the unpromising backdrop to Keir Starmer's trip to Beijing this week in the first by a British prime minister since Theresa May visited eight years ago. — Ian King, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 But no money was appropriated for reading reform beyond that amount, which would suggest an unpromising future for state support of reading reforms. — Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Adrift but alive, dad (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), daughter (Luna Blaise), daughter’s unpromising boyfriend (David Iacono) and daughter’s younger sister (Audrina Miranda) are rescued by the mercenaries’ expedition. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025 Yet despite the minimal funding and unpromising history, the search continues to garner both adherents and interest. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2012 See All Example Sentences for unpromising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpromising
  1. unfavorable
  2. irreparable
  3. inauspicious
  4. irreversible
  5. adverse
  6. uncorrectable
Adjective
  • The party has a 54% unfavorable rating compared to 40% favorable, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But experts said the administration likely would appeal an unfavorable ruling to the Supreme Court, leaving the fate of hundreds of children and their families in doubt.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • Those issues go to irreparable harm, meaning a harm that can’t be remedied by money, which plays an important role in the litigation.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Francesco Abbruscato, president of the local Alpine Club, told local media that those who come for pastries instead of peace are causing irreparable damage.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has had an inauspicious run so far in 2026.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a second half filled with indictments on Imai’s inauspicious season, few seem more glaring than this.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of inauspicious
Adjective
  • This episode dramatizes the shock of experiencing something truly irreversible.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps most importantly, this decision is largely irreversible.
    — Pierluigi Oliverio, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • Her lawsuit made a number of claims of adverse employment actions.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Ask for the specific reasons in writing, specifically naming the adverse action notice requirement.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • Did Middle Tennessee State expose Miami’s uncorrectable problems?
    — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2022
  • Yes, there are some uncorrectable changes, but those changes aren’t currently causing any problems for the James Webb team.
    — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 21 July 2022
Definition of uncorrectable

Browse Nearby Words

unprogressive
unpromising
unpromisingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unpromising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpromising. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unpromising

Nglish: Translation of unpromising for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All