promise

17 synonyms and 2 antonyms for promise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

commitment word guarantee hope call

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

pledge vow assurance oath undertaking assure predict anticipate

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

stipulate prognosticate foretell forebode

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.”

pledge vow assurance commitment word guarantee oath undertaking hope stipulate

2. noun

A sign of future success or good quality.

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

Opposites

threat

3. verb

To commit to doing (or not doing) something.

“She promised to finish the report by Friday.”

assure predict call prognosticate foretell forebode anticipate

4. verb

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

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

Opposites

threaten

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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call hope word threat commitment guarantee predict assure pledge threaten oath assurance

Nearby words

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