definite maybe
Oxymoronic tentative affirmation
A definite maybe is a response that sounds committal but isn't—an emphatic way of remaining noncommittal.
The phrase is deliberately contradictory, acknowledging that you're leaning toward yes but won't promise: Will you come to the party? That's a definite maybe.
It softens refusal while preserving options.
Lack of firm belief
- possibilityState of being achievable
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- iffyUncertain, questionable
questionable · speculative · hypothetical · unconfirmed · unsettled · undecided · unresolved · pending
Failure to decide
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
mixed feelings · vacillation · tentativeness · conflicted · teetering · on the fence · wishy-washy · hedging
Known fact nobody admits
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- deafening silenceConspicuous lack of sound
- living deadCorpses somehow still animated
- original copyFirst authentic document
virtual reality · minor crisis · only choice · sweet sorrow · civil war · alone together · seriously funny · awfully good
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- possibilityState of being achievable
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
iffy · questionable · speculative · hypothetical · unconfirmed · unsettled · undecided · unresolved · pending · up in the air
indecision
Failure to decide
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
fence-sitting · mixed feelings · vacillation · tentativeness · conflicted · teetering · on the fence · wishy-washy · hedging · lukewarm
open secret
Known fact nobody admits
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- deafening silenceConspicuous lack of sound
- living deadCorpses somehow still animated
original copy · virtual reality · minor crisis · only choice · sweet sorrow · civil war · alone together · seriously funny · awfully good · act naturally
- oxymoronsbittersweet, deafening silence, pretty ugly, living dead, act naturally
definite maybedirect response
Communication prompting immediate action
cards on the table · telling it like it is · cutting to the chase
definite maybeabsolutely
Completely, without exception
certainly · definitely · positively · unequivocally · without a doubt
definite, maybe, define, defined, defining, definition, definitions, definitive, definitively