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.
Ellis had tentatively set a hearing on permanent injunction for March. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026 This extends to her longtime silence around her home life, tentatively broken in 2013. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026 This includes SkyLINE Apartments, a 100-unit complex in Rancho Bernardo that is tentatively set to have its grand opening in early March, according to an Affirmed Housing spokesperson. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Morrissey is tentatively slated to return to the stage on January 10 in San Antonio. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentatively. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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