maybes
Neither yeses nor noes
Maybes are uncertain possibilities or noncommittal responses.
When sorting guests for an event, the maybes are those who haven't confirmed: We have twenty yeses and fifteen maybes.
The word can also refer to equivocal answers themselves: I'm tired of all your maybes—just give me a straight answer.
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillationInability to choose
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
flip-flopping · second-guessing · irresolution · indecisiveness · ambivalence · equivocation · procrastination · deliberation
Lack of firm belief
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- unknownsUndetermined quantities
- question marksSymbols ending queries
- unpredictabilityState resisting forecasts
vagueness · iffiness · gray areas · loose ends · unclear · unsettled · indeterminate · up in the air
Doubts or advance bookings
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
provisionals · conditionals · hedging · skepticism · wariness · apprehension · disinclination · holding back
Probabilities of occurrence
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
- likelihoodsDegrees of probability
- probabilitiesQuantified chances of events
scenarios · contingencies · eventualities · what-ifs · hypotheticals · conjectures · speculations · suppositions
Things that may occur
- wishful thinkingBelief shaped by desire
- optimismTendency to expect good
- crossed fingersSuperstitious hope gesture
- aspirationsDeeply held goals
longshots · dreams · prayers · faith · outside chances · glimmers · silver linings
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillationInability to choose
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
fence-sitting · flip-flopping · second-guessing · irresolution · indecisiveness · ambivalence · equivocation · procrastination · deliberation · stalling
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- unknownsUndetermined quantities
- question marksSymbols ending queries
unpredictability · vagueness · iffiness · gray areas · loose ends · unclear · unsettled · indeterminate · up in the air · variables
reservations
Doubts or advance bookings
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- cautionCareful attention to risk
reluctance · provisionals · conditionals · hedging · skepticism · wariness · apprehension · disinclination · holding back · wait-and-see
chances
Probabilities of occurrence
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
- likelihoodsDegrees of probability
probabilities · scenarios · contingencies · eventualities · what-ifs · hypotheticals · conjectures · speculations · suppositions · feasibilities
possibilities
Things that may occur
- wishful thinkingBelief shaped by desire
- optimismTendency to expect good
- crossed fingersSuperstitious hope gesture
aspirations · longshots · dreams · prayers · faith · outside chances · glimmers · silver linings
- empty promiseslip service, broken vows, false hope, hot air, overpromising
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
maybescommitments
Promises requiring follow-through
decisions · resolutions · verdicts · conclusions · final words
- maybe laterTentative deferral response
- maybe notTentative negative response
- definite maybeSelf-canceling tentative agreement
- Call Me MaybePop song requesting contact
- Definitely MaybeParadoxical affirmative uncertainty