tentatively
In a hesitant or uncertain manner, subject to change
Examples
In a meeting
“We've tentatively scheduled the meeting for Thursday, pending everyone's availability.”
Over coffee
“I tentatively agreed to help them move, but I might have to cancel.”
Why this word
cautiously
Cautiously emphasizes care to avoid danger, while tentatively stresses uncertainty and lack of commitment
hesitantly
Hesitantly focuses on reluctance or delay, while tentatively emphasizes provisional or experimental nature
carefully
Carefully implies attention to detail, while tentatively indicates doing something as a trial subject to change
Usage tip
Signals plans are provisional and flexibility is needed, manages expectations
Etymology
Latin tentare (to try, test) — related to attempting without commitment
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Related words
anticipate
To expect or predict something and prepare for it accordingly.
preempt
Take action to prevent something before it happens
proactive
Acting in advance to deal with expected situations
initiative
A new plan or action taken to achieve something
tentative
Not certain or fixed; provisional
sequence
To arrange things in a specific logical order