unpromising

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 That prize, her grandson, is bright and kind and full of huge promise in an unpromising time and place. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025 The hype for this year’s outing was undermined by what looked to be an unpromising matchup; at 6-5, Michigan was a 20.5-point underdog heading into its road trip to No. 2 Ohio State (10-1). Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024 Johnson campaigned against an unpromising backdrop: nearly ten years of austerity cuts under successive Tory governments, doubts about his flamboyant character, and fratricidal division within his party over Brexit. Pippa Norris, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2020 That led the Initiative in an unpromising direction. Steve Denning, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for unpromising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpromising
Adjective
  • But at a time when student-athletes’ rights prevail and provide the freedom to change schools and cash in, coaches aim to regain control and curtail roster movement — even at the expense of a player in an unfavorable situation.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
  • The reality is that an underdeveloped supply chain and unfavorable economics are far larger factors.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • After exchanging insults on social media, Musk escalated the feud to what many believed was irreparable damage in two separate posts on his X account.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • Thursday’s preliminary injunction made that relief more long term and acknowledged the irreparable harm that Chung could otherwise face.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • And yet, two decades after that inauspicious start, YouTube is now a cornerstone of the media ecosystem.
    Katherine Schulten, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Ten years after that inauspicious beginning, Stoops is still Kentucky’s coach.
    John Adams, The Tennessean, 8 Apr. 2024
Adjective
  • Looming cuts to the VA may cause an irreversible blow if the VA stops providing comprehensive care to veterans and, instead, pushes veterans into seeing doctors in private practice.
    Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • The bill defines ecocide as causing severe environmental harm either intentionally or through recklessness - where the harm is widespread, long-term or irreversible.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 June 2025
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unpromising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpromising. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unpromising

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!