unpromising
gb/ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ/ us/ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
unlikely to succeed or improve
Not likely to work well or end well.
Usage pattern:
an unpromising [prospect/situation/start]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse unpromising (not likely to succeed) with not promising (not making a promise).
Synonyms
discouraging (Focuses on how it reduces hope or confidence.)
|
bleak (Stronger; suggests little hope at all.)
|
unlikely (More neutral and statistical; less about first impressions.)
|
inauspicious (More formal; often about the start of something.)
Antonyms
promising (Shows signs of likely success.)
|
encouraging (Gives hope that things will improve.)
|
hopeful (Suggests a good chance of success.)
Collocations
unpromising start
|unpromising beginning
|unpromising outlook
|unpromising prospect
|unpromising signs
|unpromising results
|unpromising market
|unpromising situation
|unpromising conditions
|unpromising forecast
Themes
daily_life
|work
|plans
Examples
- The negotiations got off to an unpromising start, with both sides refusing to compromise.
- After three losses, the team’s season looked unpromising.
- The early reviews were unpromising, so the studio delayed the release.
Learner examples
- The weather forecast is unpromising.
- It was an unpromising start, but it got better.
adjective
C1
property
2
not showing much potential
Not looking likely to become good or successful.
Usage pattern:
an unpromising [candidate/student/product]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use unpromising to mean 'unfriendly' or 'unpleasant'; it mainly refers to low potential for success.
Synonyms
undistinguished (Suggests not standing out; often more neutral than unpromising.)
|
mediocre (Suggests average quality rather than low future potential.)
|
lackluster (Emphasizes dullness or low energy; less about future outcome.)
Antonyms
promising (Shows strong potential for future success.)
|
talented (Emphasizes ability rather than likelihood of success.)
Collocations
unpromising candidate
|unpromising student
|unpromising player
|unpromising recruit
|unpromising product
|unpromising investment
|unpromising idea
|unpromising proposal
|unpromising script
|unpromising application
Themes
people
|education
|business
Examples
- At first he seemed an unpromising candidate, but his interview was excellent.
- The company dropped what looked like an unpromising product line and focused on its best sellers.
- Teachers wrote her off as unpromising, yet she later won a scholarship.
Learner examples
- He looked like an unpromising candidate.
- This investment seems unpromising.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unpromising
IPA
GB/ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ/
US/ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
un - prom - ising (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prom)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unpromising
Expressions
an unpromising start
1/ən ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
a discouraging beginning
A bad or weak beginning.
Examples
- The project got off to an unpromising start when the server crashed on day one.
- After an unpromising start, the new cafe quickly found its customers.
- It was an unpromising start, but the team settled down and played well.
from unpromising beginnings
1/fɹˈʌm ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ bɪɡˈɪnɪŋz/
fixed phrase
starting poorly but improving later
It started badly, but later became successful.
Examples
- The company grew from unpromising beginnings into a global brand.
- From unpromising beginnings, the project became one of the team’s biggest successes.
- Her career emerged from unpromising beginnings and a lot of persistence.
unpromising signs
1/ʌnpɹˈɔmɪsɪŋ sˈaɪnz/
fixed phrase
signals of likely trouble
Signs that something may go badly.
Examples
- Early sales showed unpromising signs, so the company changed its strategy.
- The patient is improving, but there are still some unpromising signs.
- Negotiators reported unpromising signs after the first round of talks.