spur-of-the-moment

adjective

spur-of-the-mo·ment ˈspər-ə(v)-ṯẖə-ˈmō-mənt

Synonyms of spur-of-the-moment next

: occurring or developing without premeditation : hastily extemporized

a spur-of-the-moment decision

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Chou is fond of indulging Freddie’s spur-of-the-moment impulses with lavish takes, establishing firmly in the present Freddie’s process of becoming rather than orienting it toward some predestined conclusion. —

Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 21 Mar. 2023 The star's spur-of-the-moment wedding to her chef beau may have been surprising, but her classic solitaire diamond on pavé band and simple wedding ring are super-traditional. —

Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2023 What was even more jaw-dropping was her blunt bob, which Abergel revealed was created during a spur-of-the-moment haircutting session. —

Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2023 Her spur-of-the-moment decision to be radically honest with her new coworkers marked the beginning of her new, more open approach at work. —

Bykinsey Crowley, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2023 While spur-of-the-moment hangs are off the table, your only form of face time doesn’t have to be FaceTime. —

Lindsay Geller, Women's Health, 28 Feb. 2023 Bookings open a month out to the day; my travels to Palm Springs from Los Angeles, usually to see friends who are visiting or residents, are more spur-of-the-moment. —

Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spur-of-the-moment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of spur-of-the-moment was in 1948

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near spur-of-the-moment

spurnwater

spur-of-the-moment

spur pepper

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spur-of-the-moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spur-of-the-moment. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Copy Citation