ad-lib 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of ad-libnext
as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ad-lib

2 of 3

noun

as in improvisation
something that is performed, made, or done without preparation you would never suspect that that stirring speech was an ad-lib

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ad-lib

3 of 3

verb

ˈad-ˈlib How to pronounce ad-lib (audio)
as in to improvise
to perform, make, or do without preparation had to ad-lib constructing a piñata because she'd never actually seen it being done

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ad-lib
Adjective
Larkin doesn’t ad-lib too much. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 24 June 2026 At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. — Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
Verb
As seen in a video clip uploaded to the official Oscars YouTube channel, his ad-lib received applause from the audience in the room, but the Academy ultimately excluded the Chicago actor from presenting at the ceremony for several years. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Dec. 2025 Puzzled, Aggie climbs the stairs and — as Nile continues to ad-lib — finds Teddy, dead, suffocated with a bag, in Cooper’s room, which is decked out to match the live feed. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ad-lib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ad-lib
  1. impromptu
  2. improvisation
  3. improvise
  4. improvisational
  5. devise
  6. improvised
  7. concoct
  8. extemporize
Adjective
  • That changed after an impromptu date night with her fiancé ended with firefighters administering oxygen, an ambulance ride and the first EpiPen of her life.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • On Instagram, Starr later posted a photo of McCartney taken by Morton during the impromptu appearance.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026
Definition of impromptu
Noun
  • The new style of play, which had been rapidly developed and refined during the World Cup, was no longer seen as an improvisation, but rather as yet another stroke of genius from De la Fuente and his players.
    — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
  • Apart from the setting, and some idea of a forward time shift, Nunez began writing the piece and left the rest to improvisation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of improvisation
Verb
  • Could these poems have been improvised by singers drawing on a repertoire of formulae?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • The afternoon loosens into tapas at Tapeo and whatever the pastry chefs are improvising that week at Bubó.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of improvise
Adjective
  • The group’s final two albums — Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock — helped lay the groundwork for what would later be dubbed post-rock, inspiring generations of artists with their spacious, improvisational approach to composition.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 20 July 2026
  • To survive and scale, cannabis businesses must urgently replace improvisational workarounds with standardized systems and real-time monitoring.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of improvisational
Verb
  • Sarah Sherman Samuel is known for devising furniture worthy of an art show, and the Lulu and Georgia Hamilton sideboard is no exception.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026
  • Many believe Newton was the lone genius who devised this branch of mathematics all on his own.
    — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Definition of devise
Adjective
  • Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Outside hospitals, temporary shelters and improvised morgues, relatives continue posting photographs and names of missing family members on social media, hoping someone might recognize them or provide information about their fate.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of improvised
Verb
  • Ghost also accused Wilson and her PR team of concocting a smear campaign against her.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
  • Tran says the hairstyle was concocted with Liu's outfit in mind, not to mention her overall vibe.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 16 July 2026
Definition of concoct
Verb
  • The future, instead, seems to belong to the teams and coaches who are willing to be a little more flexible and see their role as providing a platform on which their players might extemporize.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2023
  • Friends said he was talented and could extemporize about anything.
    — Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2023
Definition of extemporize

Browse Nearby Words

adjuvant
ad-lib
ad-libbed
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Cite this Entry

“Ad-lib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ad-lib. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ad-lib

Nglish: Translation of ad-lib for Spanish Speakers

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