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Definitions

unpromising

[uhn-prom-uh-sing] / ʌnˈprɒm ə sɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
bleak
Synonyms
STRONGEST
black cheerless dark dismal grim hopeless sad
STRONG
discouraging dreary gloomy somber
WEAK
comfortless disheartening drear funereal hard joyless melancholy mournful oppressive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging glad happy hopeful joyful light pleasant sunny
WEAK
appealing comfortable comforting congenial nice
ADJECTIVE
dim
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depressing gloomy somber
STRONG
disapproving discouraging
WEAK
skeptical suspicious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful encouraging happy joyful
WEAK
bright brilliant clear distinct favorable good intelligent light smart
ADJECTIVE
ill
Synonyms
STRONG
cross foreboding foul hostile unfortunate wrong
WEAK
acrimonious adverse antagonistic cantankerous damaging deleterious detrimental disrespectful disturbing harmful harsh hateful hurtful ill-mannered impertinent inauspicious inimical iniquitous injurious malevolent malicious nocent nocuous noxious ominous ruinous sinister sullen surly threatening unfavorable unfriendly ungracious unhealthy unkind unlucky unpropitious unwholesome vile wicked
Antonyms
STRONG
good happy honest moral
WEAK
healthy sound strong well
ADJECTIVE
inauspicious
Synonyms
STRONG
unfortunate
WEAK
bad baleful baneful dire discouraging evil fateful foreboding ill-boding ill-omened impending inopportune sinister threatening unfavorable unlucky unpropitious untimely untoward
Antonyms
WEAK
auspicious favorable fortunate lucky promising
ADJECTIVE
ominous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apocalyptic dangerous dark dire dismal gloomy grim haunting perilous portentous prophetic sinister threatening
WEAK
augural baleful baneful clouded direful doomed doomful fateful fearful forbidding hostile ill-boding ill-fated impending inauspicious inhospitable lowering malefic malificent malign minatory precursive premonitory presaging prescient suggestive unfriendly unlucky unpropitious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging good happy hopeful joyful light nice pleasant safe secure sunny
WEAK
auspicious lucky promising propitious
ADJECTIVE
unadvantageous
Synonyms
WEAK
adverse antagonistic calamitous contrary damaging destructive disadvantageous discommodious hostile ill ill-advised improper inadvisable inauspicious inconvenient inexpedient infelicitous inimical inopportune late low malapropos negative objectionable ominous opposed poor regrettable tardy threatening troublesome unfit unfortunate unfriendly unlucky unpropitious unsatisfactory unseasonable unseemly unsuited untimely untoward wrong
ADJECTIVE
unfavorable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse antagonistic calamitous damaging destructive disadvantageous hostile negative objectionable ominous troublesome unfriendly
WEAK
contrary discommodious ill ill-advised improper inadvisable inauspicious inconvenient inexpedient infelicitous inimical inopportune late low malapropos opposed poor regrettable tardy threatening unfit unfortunate unlucky unpropitious unseasonable unseemly unsuited untimely untoward wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantageous agreeable aiding auspicious favorable fortunate friendly good happy helpful kind lucky nice positive propitious
ADJECTIVE
unfit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ill-equipped inadequate inappropriate unhealthy unlikely unsuitable unsuited useless
STRONG
debilitated down dragging mistaken
WEAK
below par can't make the grade decrepit discordant feeble flimsy ill-adapted ill-suited improper inapplicable incompatible incongruous incorrect ineffective inexpedient infelicitous inharmonious laid low not fit out of element out of place out of shape poorly rocky unbecoming uncongenial uncool unmeet valueless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appropriate proper suitable
WEAK
able fit qualified willing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then there was World War II. Given Cooper’s eye injury and poor physique, he made for an unpromising soldier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

It was an unpromising start, and things only got worse from there.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2024

To figure out how to revegetate this unpromising ground, Olympic National Park hired then–36-year-old Chenoweth.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 18, 2023

From this unpromising site have risen stacks of factory-built steel modules punctuated by little green spaces.

From New York Times • May 5, 2023

Rachel had the driver turn down this unpromising dirt road.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan

Vocabulary lists containing unpromising

The City of Ember

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"Two Left Feet, Two Left Hands, and Too Left on the Bench"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Unfavorable

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!