The Buffalo (New York) NewsKeith Reed
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A "Tentative" Explanation
Tentative is from the Latin tentare (“to attempt”), and its original meaning was “attempted, provisional, experimental.” It is easy to see how this emphasis on trial and error led to the word’s current sense “not fully worked out or developed” (as in "a tentative date," "tentative plans," "a tentative job offer"). The “hesitant, uncertain” sense that is also common nowadays (as in “a tentative knock on the door”) extends the idea of an unripe attempt to the uncertain emotional state of the person making the attempt.
Synonyms
Examples of tentative in a Sentence
William Langewiesche, Atlantic, June 1992
Clearly the President was chastened by the sorrow and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, July 1992
There was a crying need, in the tentative early days of populist toryism, for a voice that could bring the gospel to the lumpen.
—Christopher Hitchens, Times Literary Supplement, 30 Nov. 1990
Thus, we have a tentative picture of anatomically modern people arising in Africa over 100,000 years ago, but initially making the same tools as Neanderthals and having no advantage over them. By perhaps 60,000 years ago, some magic twist of behavior had been added to the modern anatomy.
—Jared M. Diamond, Discover, May 1989
the baby's first tentative steps
We have tentative plans for the weekend.
Chris Isidore, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Costco and the Teamsters union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, avoiding a strike, the union said Saturday.
—CBS News, 1 Feb. 2025
The half-Korean literature student and the French outsider form a tentative bond, but Son-ha can’t help but wonder about the truth behind his identity and his reason for visiting.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025
Secondly, there was concern among the shipping industry regarding a possible second strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports, which was averted when the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) reached a tentative deal with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on Jan. 8.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 Jan. 2025
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Dictionary Entries Near tentative
Cite this Entry
“Tentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentative. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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tentative
adjective
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