tentatively

adverb

Definition of tentativelynext
as in hesitantly

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tentatively Chris Sale was tentatively scheduled to pitch just five innings Wednesday in his final tuneup before postseason baseball. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The next step will be a preliminary engineering study tentatively scheduled for spring 2027. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Impelled by increasing discontent, the Americans and Soviets tentatively entered arms-control discussions. — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 Ten weeks from Thursday’s game would tentatively put Stribling back on the field in mid-November. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tentatively
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tentatively
  1. hesitantly
  2. haltingly
Adverb
  • In the public imagination, Housewives with a capital H are fame-hungry attention hogs who would rather throw the $400 bottle of Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux that’s sitting in front of us than sip it, as Cosby is hesitantly doing now.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Diane refuses, but April hesitantly makes the trip, only to learn that Theo — an artistic dilettante who lives in the city with his girlfriend, Lucy (Odessa A’zion) — has been lunching with Sandra behind her back.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hesitantly
Adverb
  • The revolutionary idea that the ruled rather than the rulers decide the rules emerged only haltingly.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The department exists to preserve some semblance of equal justice in the United States — imperfectly, haltingly, often overbearingly for some and cautiously for others — and help ensure that the nation is governed by the rule of law.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of haltingly

Browse Nearby Words

tentative
tentatively
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Cite this Entry

“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tentatively. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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