as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023
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
McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 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
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
McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ad-lib
Adjective
-
This perfect white summer sneaker is made with water-resistant faux leather, so those impromptu sunshowers won’t send you running for shelter.—
Shalwah Evans,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
During a June 21 incident, LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders said officers helped disperse a crowd of about 250 people in what could have been an impromptu street takeover.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
The emperor mastered a new form of warfare, one that stressed concentrated force, improvisation, speed and surprise.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
The reason is that much work in the real world is invisible, involving workarounds, improvisations, and social networks.—
Jim Euchner,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Despite keeping work on track, improvised fixes often bypass policies and create unintentional risks that could be pathways for threat actors to cause bigger issues, severing business continuity and compromising customer trust.—
Daniel Root,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Such games taught him how to improvise, how to get around multiple defenders and create scoring opportunities out of nothing.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Under the system of graft O’Connor devised, out-of-town crooks checked in with an underworld go-between, who would collect their name, address and a cash bribe.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
-
In Season 3, Pink Guard No-eul devises a plan to rescue Gyeong-seok (Player 246) and get him safely off the island.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Renato Paiva concocted a bold scheme that saw his Botafogo defend in an aggressively high line and limit PSG’s space.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
To keep pace, Hans Zimmer has concocted a visceral new growl that rattles our seats.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
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
Verb
-
Precisely because faking one’s age is as old as age verification, the only answer to the problems of online activity not matching the age of users is vigilant parents.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Kraft made a diving dig and subsequent kill to force match point then made one of the most athletic plays of the night with a jump set, faking going over on two, to set up Cannon with the put away.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ad-lib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ad-lib. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share