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Synonyms

promising

American  
[prom-uh-sing] / ˈprɒm ə sɪŋ /

adjective

  1. giving favorable promise; likely to turn out well.

    a promising young man; a promising situation.
    Synonyms:
    favorable
promising British  
/ ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ /

adjective

  1. showing promise of favourable development or future success

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • promisingly adverb
  • promisingness noun

Etymology

Origin of promising

First recorded in 1505–15; promise + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She needs no institution’s imprimatur, and there’s no corner of the industry promising anything she hasn’t already achieved.

From Los Angeles Times

Sultana has transferred £600,000, promising any remaining money would be paid "as soon as possible, as the legal details are ironed out".

From BBC

Even with these promising insights, caution is needed.

From Science Daily

Quantum cryptography offers a promising defense by using the rules of quantum physics to secure communication against eavesdropping.

From Science Daily

The first arrests in connection with the scandal -- eight members of the country's Department of Public Works and Highways -- were announced only days ago, with the government promising "big fish are coming soon".

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.