Antonyms for tentative
Grammar : Adj |
Spell : ten-tuh-tiv |
Phonetic Transcription : ˈtɛn tə tɪv |
Definition of tentative
Origin :- 1580s, from Medieval Latin tentativus "trying, testing," from Latin tentatus, past participle of tentare "to feel, try," (variant of temptare "to feel, try, test"). Related: Tentatively.
- adj conditional, experimental
- adj indefinite, uncertain
- "Porter tells me Lucretia is good business," said Danby, in a tentative tone.
- Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser
- At length the most daring of the "patriots" emitted a tentative hiss.
- Extract from : « Camps, Quarters and Casual Places » by Archibald Forbes
- Then he took a tentative step and lifted his hand from its support.
- Extract from : « Louisiana Lou » by William West Winter
- As his words are few and his manner reticent and tentative, so must the style of his interpreter be.
- Extract from : « The Republic » by Plato
- Then he broke in upon the tentative conversation which follows an introduction.
- Extract from : « The Dominant Strain » by Anna Chapin Ray
- She offered him this assurance with a tentative smile, into which he gazed moodily.
- Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic
- A tentative, uncertain intimacy was springing up between us two.
- Extract from : « Chance » by Joseph Conrad
- The tentative period was over; all our arrangements had been perfected.
- Extract from : « The Arrow of Gold » by Joseph Conrad
- Perhaps a tentative solution is all that is possible in the present stage of our knowledge.
- Extract from : « John Lyly » by John Dover Wilson
- She had understood her father's wistful looks and tentative speeches.
- Extract from : « Mary Gray » by Katharine Tynan
Synonyms for tentative
- acting
- ad interim
- backward
- cautious
- conjectural
- contingent
- dependent
- diffident
- disinclined
- doubtful
- faltering
- halting
- hesitant
- iffy
- indefinite
- irresolute
- makeshift
- not final
- not settled
- on trial
- open for consideration
- probationary
- provisional
- provisionary
- provisory
- reluctant
- speculative
- subject to change
- temporary
- test
- timid
- trial
- unconfirmed
- undecided
- unsettled
- unsure
- vacillating
- vacillatory
- wobbly
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019