tentative
Subject to change
Tentative describes something uncertain, provisional, or not yet final.
A tentative plan or agreement remains subject to change.
The word also captures hesitant behavior—someone who acts tentatively lacks confidence or commits only partway: She took a few tentative steps onto the ice.
A tentative smile suggests uncertainty about whether it will be welcomed.
Not firmly known
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- hesitantSlow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
indecisive · reluctant · apprehensive · cautious · wary · guarded · noncommittal · ambivalent
Before the main part
- draftPreliminary version of text
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- exploratorySeeking to discover
initial · interim · working · proposed · conditional · contingent · probationary · experimental
Trembling or unstable
- precariousDangerously insecure
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- insecureLacking self-assurance
wobbly · unreliable · unsettled · uncertain · risky · touch-and-go · iffy · dicey
uncertain
Not firmly known
doubtful · indecisive · reluctant · apprehensive · cautious · wary · guarded · noncommittal · ambivalent · vacillating
preliminary
Before the main part
exploratory · initial · interim · working · proposed · conditional · contingent · probationary · experimental · prototype
shaky
Trembling or unstable
- precariousDangerously insecure
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
insecure · wobbly · unreliable · unsettled · uncertain · risky · touch-and-go · iffy · dicey · unpredictable
- approvalsapproved, approve, authorizing, certification, endorsing
- calendar actionsschedule, reschedule, book, cancel, confirm
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- incompleteincomplete, unfinished, partial, fragmentary, half-done
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
tentativefinal
Last and decisive
definitive · conclusive · definite · permanent · settled