tentatively
adverb
ten·ta·tive·ly
ˈten-tə-tiv-lē 
: 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
Rick RiordanOnce upon a time, tech titans would tentatively suggest, "Our technology can improve your life" …—Kentaro Toyama
Kentaro ToyamaThe network has announced a new series, tentatively titled The Fashion Show …—Lyndon Stambler
Lyndon StamblerExamples of tentatively in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Incorporated in 1949, the once-lively town in northwest Dade may fade into history if residents there agree to dissolve it during an election tentatively set for July 8.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
While tentatively the likes of Lively’s pal Taylor Swift (who is godmother to one of Reynolds and Lively’s kids) and Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hugh Jackman are also on the witness list, their presence remains TBD.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
The next step in the process is an evidentiary hearing tentatively set for May 6.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2026
The rezoning request is tentatively scheduled for a public hearing on April 20, followed by zoning committee review on May 5 and a City Council vote as soon as May 18, according to city spokesperson Jack VanderToll.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
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Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
While tentatively the likes of Lively’s pal Taylor Swift (who is godmother to one of Reynolds and Lively’s kids) and Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hugh Jackman are also on the witness list, their presence remains TBD.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
The next step in the process is an evidentiary hearing tentatively set for May 6.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2026
The rezoning request is tentatively scheduled for a public hearing on April 20, followed by zoning committee review on May 5 and a City Council vote as soon as May 18, according to city spokesperson Jack VanderToll.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tentatively
Cite this Entry
“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentatively. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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