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.
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and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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.
Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025
Bae’s tentative ruling addresses several of the core issues raised by the city — among them Simonds’ secondary review of the signatures and ability to overrule the registrar of voters’ determination — and concluded in favor of the Association for the City of La Jolla.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Local 802 will bring the tentative agreement to the members for ratification.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
The curtain isn't closing on Broadway work, as musicians have reached a new tentative agreement with the Broadway League to avoid a strike in the premier theater industry with hours left to spare.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tentative
Cite this Entry
“Tentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentative. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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tentative
adjective
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