1. not likely to be successful or to have good results

Examples

• The weather forecast looks unpromising for our picnic tomorrow.
• Despite the unpromising start, the team managed to win the championship.
• The job interview got off to an unpromising beginning when I arrived late.
• Her unpromising test scores improved dramatically after she got a tutor.
• The unpromising seedlings eventually grew into beautiful flowers.
• The movie had an unpromising premise but turned out to be quite entertaining.