promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ How to pronounce promising (audio)
: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results
a promising new medicine
promisingly adverb

Examples of promising in a Sentence

The neighborhood didn't look very promising. a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday
Recent Examples on the Web And at the company’s Rosemount landfill, early tests are showing some promising results. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Only now has Washington appeared to accede to demands that Henry step aside—at a moment when prospects could hardly be less promising for a respectable, responsible democrat to ascend into the Haitian presidency, and when many armed criminals are at the ready. Amy Wilentz, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 March 5: First baseman Miguel Sanó stands out as the most promising of several minor league free agents signed by the Angels. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Here’s everything about Dune Messiah, including Denis Villeneuve’s promising update on a third film. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 All of those data points should concern EV supporters, but they must be considered in the context of a much more promising macro picture. Justin Worland, TIME, 1 Mar. 2024 Released in 2021, Villeneuve’s Dune grossed more than $402 million at the worldwide box office, a promising number considering the ongoing pressures of the pandemic and the fact that it was released day-and-date on what was then called HBO Max. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 News Peg Shares of Viking more than doubled at market close on Tuesday following news of the promising trial data. Robert Hart, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Where there’s a will, there’s a way; follow the path most promising. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'promising.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of promising was in 1594

Cite this Entry

“Promising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promising. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

promising

adjective
prom·​is·​ing
ˈpräm-ə-siŋ
: likely to turn out well
a promising student
promisingly
-siŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on promising

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