tentative
adjective
ten·ta·tive
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Definition of tentative
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: not fully worked out or developed
tentative plans
tentative
noun
plural tentatives
Definition of tentative (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that is uncertain or subject to change : something that is tentative
In war, certainties have a way of becoming tentatives. — The Buffalo (New York) News Seventy-nine shows have contracts to use the center between now and 2010, with 129 booked with either contracts pending or as tentatives.— Keith Reed
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Synonyms & Antonyms for tentative
Synonyms: Adjective
conditional, contingent (on or upon), dependent, subject (to)
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of tentative in a Sentence
Adjective
In the winter, retirees from the Midwest fill the trailer parks. They are known with tentative affection as snowbirds. — 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and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Under the tentative plan, the Environmental Protection Agency also will give a 500-million-gallon boost to the amount of conventional renewable fuel, such as ethanol, that must be used in 2020. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump orders biofuel boost in bid to temper farm state anger," 23 Aug. 2019 This yearâs event isnât over and tentative plans are being made for next year, which include the Town of Perryville holding its Lower Ferry Festival on the same weekend to celebrate between both municipalities, with transportation between both. — Erika Butler, baltimoresun.com, "Havre de Grace to host first Waterfront Festival with public art unveiling, fireworks," 22 Aug. 2019 As for the former Saks building, the Albion developers presented their tentative plans to the Highland Park Plan and Design Commission earlier this week and are scheduled to return for a preliminary meeting in November. — Karen Berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "Developer wants to build apartments at site of former Saks Fifth Avenue in Highland Park," 22 Aug. 2019 The tentative plan would involve initially pulling out nearly half of the current 14,000-strong force if the Taliban make good on key commitments, two U.S. defense officials and a Western official said. — NBC News, "Trump administration moves closer to deal with Taliban," 2 Aug. 2019 One of those projects is an upscale hotel between the arena and the Fisher Freeway service drive, which according to a 2016 tentative site plan for the district, was expected to open for business this year. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, "10 Detroit projects that were announced â but never happened," 20 July 2019 Green on The Levee' The first tentative plan is called Green on The Levee. — Julia Fair, Cincinnati.com, "Here's what city officials hope replaces the IRS in Covington," 11 July 2019 Saudi Arabia has taken tentative steps towards the emancipation of women in recent years. — Nick Watt And Jason Kravarik, CNN, "US mother ruled too Western by Saudi court will appeal," 17 Aug. 2019 The tentative time frame calls for interviews to begin on Sept. 2, with an appointment proposed for the week of Sept. 16. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Search committee to be formed for new Solon Police Chief," 13 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tentative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tentative
tentative
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of tentative
: not done with confidence : uncertain and hesitant
: not definite : still able to be changed
See the full definition for tentative in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tentative
adjective
ten·ta·tive
| \ Ëten-tÉ-tiv
\
\
Kids Definition of tentative
1
: not final
tentative plans
2
: showing caution or hesitation
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