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 most egregious perpetrators of fraud in the industry were corrupt doctors who were paid by patients to send insurance companies medical examination reports that omitted unfavorable findings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Democratic socialism is underwater by 22 points, 37% of Americans are favorable and 59% are unfavorable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • The accusation concerned the family’s claim of future irreparable harm and the need for immediate court intervention.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The other two judges, Kelly and Tymkovich, concluded the NCAA made a sufficient showing under the factors governing stays pending appeal, including on the merits and irreparable harm.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • All these higher-than-high tides might feel like inauspicious one-offs, but this El Niño season should be considered practice for the future.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • One less-desirable line on the resume is presiding with Zaslav over the inauspicious rebrand of HBO Max to Max in 2023.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of inauspicious
Adjective
  • The study does not establish that every future change is irreversible or that Thwaites must accelerate toward total collapse.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Holtec International bought it and began dismantling it, though none of the steps were irreversible.
    — Jennifer McDermott, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
  • High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All