Unpromising

/ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
not likely to be successful or favorable; lacking potential
The job market appears unpromising for new graduates this year.
not encouraging or giving reason to hope
Despite his efforts, the reviews of the film were unpromising.
having little chance of positive outcomes or results
The weather forecast for the weekend looks unpromising, with rain predicted.
indicating a lack of prospects or potential
She found the project's budget proposal to be unpromising and decided to withdraw her support.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', and 'promising', from 'promise'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

a missing opportunity
A situation where potential benefits are not realized, typically due to unfavorable conditions.
a dead end
A situation where there is no hope for progress, often associated with unpromising circumstances.

Related Words

promise
A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.
promising
Showing signs of future success or potential.

Slang Meanings

A lost cause
Trying to fix that old car is a total lost cause; it's completely unpromising.
A long shot
Investing in that startup feels like a long shot; it seems unpromising.