| Rating | Solver | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| HESITANT | Tentative | |
| PROVISIONAL | Tentative | |
| SPECULATIVE | Tentative | |
| FEELER | Tentative suggestion | |
| FEELERS | Tentative suggestions | |
| PEIRASTIC | Fitted for trail or test; experimental; tentative; treating of attempts. | |
| HYPOTHESIS | A tentative theory or supposition provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently called a working hypothesis. | |