tentatively

adverb

ten·​ta·​tive·​ly ˈten-tə-tiv-lē How to pronounce tentatively (audio)
Synonyms of tentatively
: 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 brutal wipeout required more than 100 stitches — and tentatively ended Johnson’s professional surfing ambitions. Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 May 2026 As the girls sprawl out on the floor and tentatively touch their vulvas, Trixie teaches them another form of bodily governance, beginning with the clitoral hood. Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026 He is tentatively lined up to pitch against the Chicago White Sox during their series which begins Tuesday. Jaylon Thompson may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026 The third phase, tentatively planned for fall 2027, will add stations at UCLA and the Veterans Affairs hospital. City News Service, Daily News, 8 May 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

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