unpromising

[ uhn-prom-uh-sing ]

See synonyms for unpromising on Thesaurus.com

adjective

unlikely to be favorable or successful, as the weather, a situation, or a career.

Origin of unpromising

First recorded in 1625–35; un-¹ + promising

Other words from unpromising

un·prom·is·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby unpromising

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unpromising in a sentence

To play chess, Deep Blue would peer a move ahead, calculate possible moves from there, “prune” ones that seemed unpromising, go deeper along the promising paths, and repeat the process several times.
What the history of AI tells us about its future | Clive Thompson | February 18, 2022 | MIT Technology Review
Given the apparently unpromising situation on the ground, why should Obama get involved?
What Obama Should Say About Mideast Peace | Alan Elsner | February 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Experienced defense lawyers, however, well understand that the insanity defense is a very difficult and unpromising choice.
Jared Loughner’s Legal Options Examined | Gerald L. Shargel | August 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
In truth, the results of the Ames Straw Poll are decidedly unpromising for the Rust Belt on Election Day, a mere 15 months away.
GOP Still Has No Chance | John Batchelor | August 15, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
It seemed an unpromising subject, but they fell upon it with ardour, and found it strangely fruitful.
Bella Donna | Robert Hichens

The dogs came slowly to meet Mackenzie as he approached, backs still bristling, countenances unpromising.
The Flockmaster of Poison Creek | George W. Ogden
They, too, used colors and applied great art principles to this unpromising mode of expression and accomplished great results.
Education: How Old The New | James J. Walsh
On the death of the grandson of the old Lord Byron in 1794, this unpromising youth became the heir-apparent to the barony.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIII | John Lord
There was a dangerous glint in his grey-green eyes, and his opening sentence was unpromising.
The Secret Glory | Arthur Machen

British Dictionary definitions for unpromising

unpromising

/ (ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ) /

adjective

not showing any 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

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