Synonyms for tentative
- adjective
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Provisional
2. Cautious
Other
doubtful, speculative, experimental, trying, conditional, empirical, trial
Definitions
- adj. 1
Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental.
- adj. 2
Uncertain; subject to future change.
He gave a tentative answer, unsure of the final outcome.
Related words
- Word family
- tentatively
- Phrases
- tentative wound
- Other spellings
- temptative
Example sentences
- provisional After the revolution, a provisional government ruled.
- cautious Be cautious around the well, accidents can happen.
- timid She seems oddly shy and timid for a press officer.
- conditional The love was conditional; it hinged on my finances.
- doubtful It's doubtful whether Tom will be able to do that.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| tentative | falling | |
| provisional | falling | |
| provisionary | steady | |
| cautious | rising | |
| timid | steady | |
| conditional | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- trial2, timid2
- 6 letters
- trying2
- 7 letters
- prudent2
- 8 letters
- cautious2, doubtful2, gingerly3
- 9 letters
- empirical4
- 10 letters
- deliberate4, volitional
- 11 letters
- provisional4, conditional4, speculative4
- 12 letters
- experimental5, probationary5, provisionary
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (trial2 = 2 syllables).