tentatively

adverb

ten·​ta·​tive·​ly ˈten-tə-tiv-lē How to pronounce tentatively (audio)
Synonyms of tentativelynext
: with hesitancy or uncertainty : in a tentative manner
He tentatively agreed to the deal.
Sliding along beside me was a five-foot-long mako shark … . Tentatively, I touched its dorsal fin.Rick Riordan
Once upon a time, tech titans would tentatively suggest, "Our technology can improve your life" …Kentaro Toyama
The network has announced a new series, tentatively titled The Fashion ShowLyndon Stambler

Examples of tentatively in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The commission is tentatively scheduled to select an artist May 13. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 Demolition, which was tentatively scheduled for March 9 but delayed, could proceed any day. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026 Authorities said the woman had no visible injuries and tentatively classified her as a non-criminal death pending an autopsy, police said. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026 The European Commission is consulting with EU member states to produce a sweeping new security strategy document, tentatively set to publish by June. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tentatively

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tentatively was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentatively. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on tentatively

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster