tentatively

American  

[ten-tuh-tiv-lee] / ˈtɛn tə tɪv li /

adverb

1. as a trial, experiment, or attempt.

   Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the 8th of June.

2. in a hesitant or uncertain manner.

   She spoke tentatively, but apparently thought better of it and stopped.

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Other Word Forms

• nontentatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of tentatively

tentative ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Last year they spent the afternoon tentatively talking about going back-to-back.

From Los Angeles Times

As Mira and Edgar tentatively approach discussion of the breach in the family, it’s primarily Beckett who begins to seethe with anger at what happened—and what didn’t.

From The Wall Street Journal

Singapore’s central bank sounded tentatively upbeat about the economy’s prospects in the year ahead, saying it expects resilient growth in the near term, although uncertainties remain.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dr. Achebe tentatively put his hands on Coal’s shoulders, as if he was trying to soothe him but was unsure of how best to help.

From Literature

While still moving tentatively, a calmer Sinner took Spizzirri's serve again for 5-4 and secured the third set before going on to secure a dramatic victory.

From BBC

Related Words

• conditionally
• provisionally
• temporarily