unpromising

/ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ənprˈɔmɪsɪŋ] /ʌnˈprɑːmɪsɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ənprˈɔmɪsɪŋ] /ˌən-ˈprä-mə-siŋ How to pronounce unpromising (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unpromising — adjective

  • unpromisingpositive
  • more unpromisingcomparative
  • most unpromisingsuperlative

1. not seeming likely to succeed or to give a good experience, because the early si

1.形容詞C2
釋義

not seeming likely to succeed or to give a good experience, because the early signs are poor

例句

The team made an unpromising start and trailed by ten points.

collocation: unpromising start

Kemi glanced at the cracked windows and the unpromising little shop.

attributive use: unpromising + noun

同義詞
  • discouraging

    emphasises the negative effect on people's feelings more than the outward signs

  • bleak

    stronger and darker in tone, often used when the outlook seems severe

  • doubtful

    focuses more on uncertainty or lack of belief than on early evidence

反義詞
  • promising

    the direct opposite, showing signs of future success or enjoyment

  • encouraging

    suggests signs that make people feel more hopeful

文法句型

unpromising + noun

look/sound/seem + unpromising

用法筆記

Often used for first impressions, early results, or visible signs that suggest trouble ahead. It commonly appears before nouns such as start, sign, prospect, or candidate, and after verbs like look, seem, and sound when someone is judging what may happen next.

常見錯誤

❌The match ended with an unpromising victory.
✅The match began with an unpromising first half.
💡'Unpromising' describes early signs or prospects, not a successful final result.
❌The plan looks unpromising, so it can never work.
✅The plan looks unpromising, so it may need major changes.
💡'Unpromising' means the signs are bad, not that success is impossible.