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and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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.
Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
Key Facts The tentative deal includes a 35% wage increase over four years for workers, according to The Wall Street Journal, up from its initial offer of 25%.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
The series will premiere on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada and on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, with a tentative 2025 air date.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2024
To date, Norfolk Southern has reached tentative agreements with 10 of its 13 unions, covering approximately 67% of its craft workforce.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
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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 28 Nov. 2024.
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tentative
adjective
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