provisionality

provisionality

The contract's provisionality is indicated by a six-month review clause.

Definition

Noun: The quality or state of being temporary, conditional, or subject to change; the characteristic of being established only for the time being and not permanent.

Usage Examples
  • (The temporary nature of the agreement caused uncertainty.)
  • (The theories are not fixed but subject to change.)
  • (The contract was meant to be temporary, not permanent.)
Advanced Usage
  • "in a state of provisionality": existing in a temporary or conditional manner.
    • The government's policies remained in a state of provisionality until the new constitution was ratified. (The policies were not final.)
  • "the provisionality of knowledge": the idea that all knowledge is tentative and open to revision.
    • Philosophers emphasize the provisionality of human understanding, cautioning against absolute certainty. (Knowledge is not absolute.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Provisional (adj): arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
    • The provisional government was established after the revolution. (A temporary government.)
  • Provisionally (adv): in a way that is temporary or conditional.
    • The project was approved provisionally, pending further review. (Approved for now, subject to change.)
  • Proviso (n): a condition or stipulation in an agreement.
    • The contract included a proviso that allowed termination with 30 days' notice. (A condition in the agreement.)
Synonyms
  • Temporariness: the state of lasting only for a limited time.
  • Conditionality: the quality of being dependent on certain conditions.
  • Tentativeness: the state of being not final or certain.
Related Idioms
  • "on a temporary basis": for a limited period, not permanently.
    • She was hired on a temporary basis while the manager was on leave. (Her employment was provisional.)
  • "subject to change": likely to be altered or modified.
    • The schedule is subject to change, so check for updates. (The schedule is provisional.)
Antonyms
  • Permanence: the state of lasting or intended to last indefinitely.
  • Finality: the quality of being conclusive and not open to revision.