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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
Ritchie’s process Multiple Gentlemen cast members have talked about Ritchie’s on-set process, which often calls on actors to learn new versions of scripts in the moment, or ad-lib to improve a scene. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 But that moment, that is an ad-lib because the line was [supposed to be] very calm. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
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
  • Or maybe Pitt simply wanted to get his Jack London on, traipsing throughout gorgeous natural terrain and ruffling his co-star’s fur in between fending off feral wolves and navigating impromptu whitewater rafting trips sans the raft.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In Milan, and elsewhere in Italy, there’s an abundance of gourmet stores selling prepared foods that allow everyone, including visitors without kitchens, the ability to serve an exquisite, impromptu meal.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of impromptu
Noun
  • Trailblazers should not resist structure simply because improvisation worked in the beginning.
    — Kevin Brady, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • What follows is 90 minutes of comedy, chaos and quick-thinking improvisation while the four sober actors fight to keep the script on track.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of improvisation
Verb
  • Fans who didn’t have one of those improvised by using their phone lights to join in.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But across Gaza, students and teachers are improvising with what is left, still driven by the promise of education.
    — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of improvise
Adjective
  • The 28-year-old QB has succeeded when supported by consistent line play, yet also boasts improvisational skills that set him apart from many NFL starters.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Tsepetis’s improvisational approach to hospitality creates a home-away-from-home warmth that keeps many of his guests returning, year after year.
    — Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of improvisational
Verb
  • Costume designer Colleen Atwood devised the ensemble, while Ed Cubberly created the famous fiberglass muzzle, deliberately leaving it uncoated to evoke the look of dried, taut skin.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers typically devise decoding algorithms that run either on CPU’s, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), or a field-programmable gate array to analyze these syndromes and then apply a correction to the computation.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of devise
Adjective
  • With no clear guidance, haphazard and improvised efforts by companies to clean the homes left 6 in 10 residences still unsafe.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • As Yusuf helps Abu Khalil with his historical reenactment and builds his public profile through social media, the three become an improvised family.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of improvised
Verb
  • Explanations require concocting narratives and then defending them.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Navatek would concoct a research project in partnership with a university in a member’s district or home state, and Kao would make a large initial campaign donation.
    — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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