as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
caught by surprise, I had to make an extemporaneous speech at the awards banquet
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Recent Examples of extemporaneous
No one else will experience that extemporaneous moment like the woman in that particular seat.
—
Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
In 1962, Tillie Olsen gave a largely extemporaneous talk at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
As protesters dispersed, some started an extemporaneous cumbia dance party in a nearby park.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
The winners of Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s shows went on to compete Thursday for bestest extemporaneous cultural critic.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extemporaneous
Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
In 1962, Tillie Olsen gave a largely extemporaneous talk at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
As protesters dispersed, some started an extemporaneous cumbia dance party in a nearby park.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
The winners of Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s shows went on to compete Thursday for bestest extemporaneous cultural critic.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extemporaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extemporaneous
Adjective
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Still, Gordy’s mansion in Detroit’s Boston-Edison district remained a home base, the spot for family gatherings and — in the lower-level ballroom — the site of impromptu artist performances witnessed by Terry and her cousins.—
Brian McCollum,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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The relaxed-fit camp shirt teams perfectly with wide-leg pants, and both are crafted from breezy linen that’s ideal for long days of sightseeing or impromptu café stops.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Their improvisational morning menu will draw from the cuisine of Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte and the Indigenous cooking of Martinez’s Zapotec culture.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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In the BeatLabs area on Level 4, guests can make their own songs at a digital mixing board, and in the Level 2 Garage, small groups can play guitars, keyboards, and drums, following the onscreen prompts or staging their own improvisational jam sessions.—
Paul J. Heney,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And the group’s most recent album, 2025’s Live in Amsterdam, showcases the kind of spontaneous improvised moments, including Peters’ bass solos, that set GoldFish apart from many dance acts with more strictly electronic sounds.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
8 Apr. 2026
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In Russia and Ukraine, soldiers have learned to protect their tanks from drone strikes using improvised nets and boxes, which cover the vehicles like a turtle shell.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extemporaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extemporaneous. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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