as in hesitantly
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Recent Examples of tentatively
The film picks up the thread of their story after his release, when the duo reconnects, and Osman tentatively begins to rebuild his life through a love for literature and teaching.
—
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 June 2026
The next is tentatively scheduled for July 18.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
The fact that a meeting initially scheduled for May, and then June, is now only tentatively penciled in for July speaks volumes about the current likelihood of progress.
—Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
Another was more straightforwardly hopeful, expressing a wish to see Iran progress in the tournament and a belief that success on the pitch might, however tentatively, cut across political divisions.
—Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tentatively
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 June 2026
The next is tentatively scheduled for July 18.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
The fact that a meeting initially scheduled for May, and then June, is now only tentatively penciled in for July speaks volumes about the current likelihood of progress.
—Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
Another was more straightforwardly hopeful, expressing a wish to see Iran progress in the tournament and a belief that success on the pitch might, however tentatively, cut across political divisions.
—Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tentatively
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tentatively
Adverb
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The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Only the bravest walked hesitantly toward the well.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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States have since haltingly rolled out standards for history education, but after 30 years of reform, students’ performance on history exams has slightly declined—just 14 percent are rated proficient.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
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Root listens intently and then responds, initially haltingly.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tentatively. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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