as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in improvisation
something that is performed, made, or done without preparation
you would never suspect that that stirring speech was an ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of ad-lib
Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Being able to ad-lib was such a steep learning curve for me.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2025
The camera then cut to Tiger Woods — co-founder of the new three-on-three golf league — who broke out into a wide smile, laughing and shaking his head at the ad-lib.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
While much of the show was scripted, Lowe was also allowed to ad-lib, which further helped solidify the show’s off-kilter, edgy sense of humor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
During their jam session with Bad Bunny, the group was able to ad-lib an element unique to their hometown: the tale of Jacinto, a farmer who is dragged by his cow into a ocean blowhole, famously known as Jacinto’s pit cave.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
First of all, Megan gets to ad-lib every night and comes up with really funny lines every single night.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
According to Patton Oswalt, the cast would ad-lib jokes for Reynolds to say to Blade in Snipes’s absence.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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
An ad-lib should be obnoxious — sometimes — but tasteful.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Being able to ad-lib was such a steep learning curve for me.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2025
The camera then cut to Tiger Woods — co-founder of the new three-on-three golf league — who broke out into a wide smile, laughing and shaking his head at the ad-lib.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
While much of the show was scripted, Lowe was also allowed to ad-lib, which further helped solidify the show’s off-kilter, edgy sense of humor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
During their jam session with Bad Bunny, the group was able to ad-lib an element unique to their hometown: the tale of Jacinto, a farmer who is dragged by his cow into a ocean blowhole, famously known as Jacinto’s pit cave.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
First of all, Megan gets to ad-lib every night and comes up with really funny lines every single night.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
According to Patton Oswalt, the cast would ad-lib jokes for Reynolds to say to Blade in Snipes’s absence.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ad-lib
Adjective
-
After about a minute, the impromptu lesson concluded and the woman stood up.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
When rain comes or your dog goes for an impromptu swim, a towel is a necessity.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But through meticulous preparation, improvisation and long hours at the office, Black found holes in the opposition’s cases and proceeded to stretch them open, a Miami Herald reporter wrote in a 1999 profile.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
22 July 2025
-
This loose improvisation is what makes Shadows a particular joy to watch.—
Devin Oktar Yalkin,
Vulture,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Organizations that master this rhythmic approach to leadership consistently demonstrate three advantages: Fluid Structure: A jazz ensemble can improvise because the musicians share a rhythm.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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While some of the actors took a breather and had fun improvising during these shoot days, for the crew, the pool scene proved to be one of the most difficult logistically.—
Madeleine Janz,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The next step typically undertaken is to employ a make-or-break test when aiming to devise a generalizable model.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Use them to devise your own words of inspiration for life's bigger moments — and smaller ones too.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The preview also shows West concocting his Sunday Service before delving down his own rabbit hole.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
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However, when he is left near death due to a plot concocted by his former friend Mal, the two are thrown back into each other’s orbit, according to a synopsis of the book.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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Friends said he was talented and could extemporize about anything.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2023
Verb
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Do more than the bare minimum required to fake a passing effort, at least every now and then when the roster demands it.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 2025
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During their press tour, the two were pictured getting close, staring deeply into each other’s eyes and planting kisses on each other — apparently to fake us out … or ... not?—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ad-lib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ad-lib. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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