unpromising


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un·prom·is·ing

 (ŭn-prŏm′ĭ-sĭng)
adj.
Not likely to develop in a desirable manner: an unpromising beginning to the relationship.

un·prom′is·ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unpromising

(ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ)
adj
not showing any promise of favourable development or future success
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

un•prom•is•ing

(ʌnˈprɒm ə sɪŋ)

adj.
unlikely to be favorable or successful.
[1625–35]
un•prom′is•ing•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.unpromising - unlikely to bring about favorable results or enjoyment; "faced an unpromising task"; "music for unpromising combinations of instruments"
inauspicious, unfortunate - not auspicious; boding ill
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

unpromising

adjective inauspicious, discouraging, ominous, unfavourable, doubtful, gloomy, adverse, unpropitious, infelicitous His business career had distinctly unpromising beginnings.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
Spanish / Español
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unpromising

[ˈʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ] ADJpoco prometedor
it looks unpromisingno promete mucho
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

unpromising

[ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ] adjpeu prometteur/euse
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

unpromising

adjnicht sehr vielversprechend; start alsonicht sehr erfolgversprechend, wenig erfolgversprechend; to look unpromisingnicht sehr hoffnungsvoll or gut aussehen; (weather) → nichts Gutes versprechen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

unpromising

[ʌnˈprɒmɪsɪŋ] adjpoco promettente
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
References in classic literature ?
TOM arrived at home in a dreary mood, and the first thing his aunt said to him showed him that he had brought his sorrows to an unpromising market:
There was, at times, a want of spirits about him which, if it did not denote indifference, spoke a something almost as unpromising. A doubt of her regard, supposing him to feel it, need not give him more than inquietude.
The incomprehensible language and the unpromising looks of our cavalier only increased the ladies' laughter, and that increased his irritation, and matters might have gone farther if at that moment the landlord had not come out, who, being a very fat man, was a very peaceful one.
When I allowed him to go on a little before, on account of the narrowness of the way, I observed that he carried his head with a lofty air that was particularly unpromising; and my mind misgave me that he had found out about my darling Dora.
The ruddy glare of the charcoal displayed the confused and unpromising aspect of the room,--saddles, bridles, several sorts of harness, riding-whips, overcoats, and various articles of clothing, scattered up and down the room in confused variety; and the dogs, of whom we have before spoken, had encamped themselves among them, to suit their own taste and convenience.
Everything that was interesting in Rebecca, and every evidence of power, capability, or talent afterwards displayed by her, Miranda ascribed to the brick house training, and this gave her a feeling of honest pride, the pride of a master workman who has built success out of the most unpromising material; but never, to the very end, even when the waning of her bodily strength relaxed her iron grip and weakened her power of repression, never once did she show that pride or make a single demonstration of affection.
Sydney Carton, idlest and most unpromising of men, was Stryver's great ally.
Under these unpromising auspices, the parting took place, and the journey began.
"And therefore," he remarked, "for the purposes of your friends I should consider this a difficult and unpromising country in which to work."
He was that most unpromising of matrimonial material, a shy man with a cautious disposition.
In an unpromising manner, the auspices being unfavorable.
He was very strong and clever with his knife and knew how to cut the dry and dead wood away, and could tell when an unpromising bough or twig had still green life in it.