1. in a way that suggests little chance of success or favorable outcome

Examples

• The meeting began unpromisingly with several key members absent.
• The weather looked unpromisingly dark and stormy for our picnic.
• His first attempt at the recipe started unpromisingly when he burned the onions.
• The team performed unpromisingly in their opening game of the season.
• The job interview went unpromisingly after she arrived twenty minutes late.
• The project began unpromisingly with budget cuts and staff shortages.