tentatively

adverb

ten·​ta·​tive·​ly ˈten-tə-tiv-lē How to pronounce tentatively (audio)
: 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 The trial date for the original indictment was tentatively set for November, but that has been pushed back as Aidala asked for more time due to other upcoming trials. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024 He is tentatively set to be retried in New York on November 12, though prosecutors have moved to combine Weinstein cases into one trial — a move to which his defense has strongly objected. Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 While the Brunswick location of The South's Best Travel spot is tentatively scheduled to open in June 2025, according to WJCL, the Monroe County location hasn’t progressed that far yet. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2024 Luster is tentatively scheduled for another parole hearing in 2025. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tentatively 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tentatively.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tentatively was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near tentatively

Cite this Entry

“Tentatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentatively. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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