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promising

promising

203 3.1
Showing signs of future success
  • adjective
  • /ˈprɑːmɪsɪŋ/
translation icon : prometedor
  • To nearly everyone's surprise, unconventional gas turned out to be much more promising than expected.
  • promising results
  • looks promising
  • a promising future

And if you've seen some areas that look promising, well, thank you.

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Examples

  • The latest research shows promising results for a cure to the disease.

  • So I think it's very, it's a very promising area of research.

  • So I think that the future is promising right here.

  • And this is a very, very promising way to do just that.

  • So far, it seems like we're off to a promising start in this this new section.

  • On a positive note, there are several promising changes already taking place.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Interaction among the six different groups is another promising area for research.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Induction programs have not been present very long, although some promising results have been reported.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Policies and markets have to be shaped so the most promising technologies can succeed.

  • The new readouts look very promising.

Synonyms

bright
vspromising
128 1.5

Likely to be successful and have good chances

focuses more on signs and evidence pointing to likely success
hopeful
vspromising
46 1.0

Showing signs that a plan or project will be successful

is about observable signs that success is likely rather than mere hope
up-and-coming
vspromising
30 4.0

Likely to become successful or popular soon

emphasizes early signs that success will happen rather than current rise
budding
vspromising
3 4.1

Beginning to show promise in a job or activity

refers to signs of likely success without limiting to the initial stage
rising
vspromising
3.7

Becoming more important or successful, often about people

highlights early signs that success may come rather than active advancement

Antonyms

190 1.4

Not as good as you expected or hoped

3 4.5

Not likely to succeed or be enjoyable

How Promising

promising
203 3.1
encouraging
73 1.9
hopeful
189 1.8
doubtful
38 3.0
unpromising
3 4.5

Surface Forms

promising positive
promisinger comparative
promisingest superlative

Morphology

promising = promise (transparent) = promise + ing

The adjective is formed by the regular present-participle/participial adjective from 'promise' meaning 'showing signs of fulfilling a promise or success'.

Etymology

Promising comes from promise, which once meant 'to put your word forward' or make a pledge. So a promising person or idea gives a 'promise' of success and shows signs it will do well.