The Opposite(Antonym) of “definitive”
The antonyms of definitive are tentative and inconclusive. The antonyms tentative and inconclusive convey a lack of certainty or finality. It implies that something is not yet decided, confirmed, or established.
Explore all Antonyms of “definitive”
Definitions and Examples of tentative, inconclusive
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Not certain or fixed; provisional.
Example
The company made a tentative offer to buy the land, but negotiations are still ongoing.
Not leading to a definite conclusion; not resolving a question or dispute.
Example
The investigation was inconclusive, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Key Differences: tentative vs inconclusive
- 1Tentative implies a lack of certainty or fixedness, while definitive implies a high degree of certainty or finality.
- 2Inconclusive implies that something does not lead to a definite conclusion, while definitive implies that something is conclusive and final.
Effective Usage of tentative, inconclusive
- 1Academic Writing: Use definitive to describe research findings that are conclusive and final.
- 2Business Communication: Use tentative to describe offers, proposals, or agreements that are not yet final.
- 3Legal Writing: Use inconclusive to describe evidence or arguments that do not lead to a definite conclusion.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Tentative implies a lack of certainty, while inconclusive implies that something does not lead to a definite conclusion. Use these words in academic writing, business communication, and legal writing to convey the appropriate level of certainty or finality.
