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promise

2 antonyms for promise — opposites grouped by meaning.

Noun — A firm statement that you will or will not do something.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A firm statement that you will or will not do something.

“He kept his promise to call her every night while he was away.”

2. noun

A sign of future success or good quality.

“The young player showed real promise in his first professional season.”

Opposites

3. verb

To commit to doing (or not doing) something.

“She promised to finish the report by Friday.”

4. verb

To give a strong indication of something good or likely to happen.

“The dark clouds promised a heavy storm by nightfall.”

Opposites

Antonyms

How to use promise

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

keep a promise break a promise show promise promise to do something

Etymology

From Old French promesse, from Latin prōmissum, from prōmittō ("to send forth, to say beforehand"), from pro- ("forth") plus mittere ("to send") — the same root behind mission, admit, and permit.

Full origin of promise →

Frequently asked questions

What does “promise” mean?
The word “promise” means a firm statement that you will or will not do something. In plain terms, a firm commitment to do something, or a sign that good things are coming.
How do you pronounce “promise”?
“Promise” is pronounced PRO-mihs (/ˈpɹɑmɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “promise” in a sentence?
Here is “promise” used in a sentence: “He kept his promise to call her every night while he was away.”
What is another word for “promise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “promise” include stipulate.
What part of speech is “promise”?
Depending on how it is used, “promise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “promise” come from?
The word “promise” comes from Latin. From Old French promesse, from Latin prōmissum, from prōmittō ("to send forth, to say beforehand"), from pro- ("forth") plus mittere ("to send") — the same root behind mission, admit, and permit.
Is “promise” a common word?
“Promise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “promise” have?
“Promise” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a firm statement that you will or will not do something.
What is the difference between a promise and a vow?
Both are firm commitments, but a vow is more solemn and often ceremonial — wedding vows or a vow of silence carry ritual weight. A promise is an everyday assurance that you will or won't do something. Every vow is a kind of promise, but not every promise is a vow.
What is the difference between a promise and a guarantee?
A promise is a personal assurance that you will do something, resting on trust. A guarantee is stronger and often formal or legal — a pledge frequently backed by consequences, such as a refund or compensation if it isn't kept. A guarantee raises a promise to a binding commitment.
What is an example of a promise?
Simple examples include saying 'I promise I'll call you tomorrow,' pledging to repay a loan by a set date, or a parent promising a child a trip to the park. Each is a firm statement that the speaker will, or will not, do a particular thing.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.