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
  • Affirm left Australia in 2023 shortly after unfavorable macroeconomic conditions prompted the company to lay off 19 percent of its workforce.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Polling has consistently shown most voters have an unfavorable view of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
    — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • For a parent to refuse them outright may represent a fundamental, irreparable breakdown of the doctor-patient relationship.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges four families with addresses in Mansfield, Georgia have had irreparable damage to their property and quality of life throughout the construction and operation of the Meta data center.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • The film had an inauspicious start, McDonald recalled Saturday, during a career retrospective for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has had an inauspicious run so far in 2026.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of inauspicious
Adjective
  • Group argued construction could be irreversible The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is challenging the ballroom, had told the justices that the project would likely become irreversible unless it is stopped now.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Elena became blind in a car accident that caused irreversible damage to the optic nerve in her left eye, as well as damage to the retina and cornea transparency in her right eye, according to the outlets.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The report identified adverse effects on dozens of historic properties, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and other landmarks.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 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 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All