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
Phase one, tentatively scheduled for June 2026 to August 2027, includes demolishing several buildings, upgrading library fire alarms and readying central campus for construction.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
For now the space agency is tentatively planning for a January launch.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Kyiv has tentatively agreed to much of the new plan.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Before ending the interview, Kehlani also teased her own next creative era, revealing that her forthcoming album is tentatively slated for Spring 2026.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tentatively
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.
Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
For now the space agency is tentatively planning for a January launch.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Kyiv has tentatively agreed to much of the new plan.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Before ending the interview, Kehlani also teased her own next creative era, revealing that her forthcoming album is tentatively slated for Spring 2026.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tentatively
Cite this Entry
“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentatively. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share