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
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.
The school board is tentatively expected to vote on the 2026-27 calendar at its June 2 meeting. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 The new film, tentatively titled Judy, just finished production in London. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 Casemiro’s 2024-25 started tentatively, with the Brazilian starting Ten Hag’s first two Premier League games before being removed at half-time in a 3-0 defeat by Liverpool. Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 May 2025 The trial continues Wednesday, with the prosecution tentatively set to call Kid Cudi as one of their next witnesses. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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