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tentatively

tentatively

30 5.1
In a way that shows hesitation or not being sure
  • adverb
  • /ˈtɛntəˌvɛtli/
translation icon : provisionalmente
  • She spoke tentatively, unsure if her ideas would be well-received by the group.
  • tentatively accepted
  • tentatively scheduled
  • tentatively suggested

It's hard to say, but I am tentatively bullish on them.

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Examples

  • Below him, in the city streets, deep purple shadows stretched tentatively forth, as if testing their strength.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We had tentatively titled it "Professor Brown Visits the Future."

  • So I am going to tentatively say we should clean this up and put it back in there.

  • However, the present data can be tentatively applied beyond the context of this study.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And I do it tentatively because things could change direction in an unexpected way.

  • Sometimes we have to hold onto tentatively selected articles for several months.

    Academic text (1993)
  • It's hard to say, but I am tentatively bullish on them.

  • It looks like tentatively on Tuesday we will be at Sacramento and probably San Jose.

  • For example, the pilot, which is tentatively titled "Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger," will focus on fast food.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I will tentatively divide my tale into five randomly chosen incidents over a twelve-year period.

Synonyms

hesitantly
vstentatively
14 3.2

In a slow, unsure way because of doubt

stresses acting without commitment rather than just pausing
uncertainly
vstentatively
11 4.0

Act or speak in a way that shows you are not sure

indicates action done without finality and with hesitation
doubtfully
vstentatively
4 3.8

In a way that shows you are not sure and have little confidence

adds the sense of not acting with finality or certainty
provisionally
vstentatively
3 5.7

For a short time until someone confirms it

highlights cautious not final behaviour rather than just temporariness
haltingly
vstentatively
3 7.4

In a slow, unsure way with pauses

is used when something is provisional or not settled yet
hesitatingly
vstentatively
1 6.1

In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt

emphasizes temporary or nonfinal choice more than simple pause
falteringly
vstentatively
1 7.4

In a slow, unsure way that shows little confidence

puts more weight on cautious not final intention
unsurely
vstentatively
4.1

In a way that shows someone is not sure

focuses on cautious action rather than only feeling unsure
waveringly
vstentatively
7.5

With an unsteady, unsure voice or movement that shows doubt

is about cautious not final action rather than physical shaking
hedgingly
vstentatively
8.9

Speaks in a careful way that avoids a clear answer

means to act cautiously while avoiding a clear commitment

Antonyms

36 2.9

In a way that shows a person is sure and not afraid

How Certain

decisively
29 3.7
tentatively
30 5.1
hesitantly
14 3.2
doubtfully
4 3.8

Surface Forms

tentatively positive
tentativelyer comparative
tentativelyest superlative

Morphology

tentatively = tentative (transparent) = tentative + ly

Regular adverbial formation from the adjective 'tentative' with a straightforward meaning 'in a tentative manner'.

Etymology

Tentatively comes from the Latin root tentare, which means 'to try' or 'test' and is like the word attempt. So to act tentatively is to do something as a small try — showing uncertainty or hesitation rather than full confidence.