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 polling situation was similarly unfavorable to Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 and 2018 elections, but relatively minor in comparison with the disparity in tonight's electoral results.
    — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • None of those circumstances turns an unfavorable employment decision into an unlawful one automatically.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • The Justice Department ultimately argued that the outlets have not established irreparable harm and that the balance of equities and public interest favors the government.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Amazon is calling for people to support AI data center projects, or risk irreparable harm to the US economy and national security.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • 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
  • The Marlins’ fleeting, flickering hopes of a playoff berth grew dimmer Saturday when the Cubs beat them for the second day in a row, continuing an inauspicious start to an important nine-game homestand.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of inauspicious
Adjective
  • Make nothing irreversible in the same meeting where the anger showed up.
    — Larry Bomback, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Other children are developing severe and irreversible neurological damage because of brain inflammation, or encephalitis, Shirey said.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • Retaliation is described as an adverse employment action connected to an activity protected by a law under its jurisdiction.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Eating Sweetened Foods With Protein Eating protein alongside sugary snacks can help stabilize your blood sugar and minimize the spikes that lead to a host of adverse health effects.
    — Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 2 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 10 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 Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

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
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All