as in improvised
made or done without previous thought or preparation
our dinner guest thanked us with an impromptu song
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in improvisation
something that is performed, made, or done without preparation
although five different lines had been written, the best choice turned out to be an impromptu from the tired actor himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in spontaneously
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 impromptu
Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
With both Erik Spoelstra and Kel’el Ware having offered their thoughts on Spoelstra’s impromptu criticism of Ware last week, the fundamental element of the incident has not change, namely Ware’s lacking of playing time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2026
In press conferences and at impromptu locker room Q&A sessions, Kuminga and coach Steve Kerr have said all of the right things publicly.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Tomlin tipped his cap and moved toward the door, where an impromptu receiving line formed, every player exchanging words and hugs with their now-former coach.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impromptu
Adjective
Come for just an evening show, or stay longer on the campgrounds for a chance to catch an impromptu fireside jam session.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
With both Erik Spoelstra and Kel’el Ware having offered their thoughts on Spoelstra’s impromptu criticism of Ware last week, the fundamental element of the incident has not change, namely Ware’s lacking of playing time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2026
In press conferences and at impromptu locker room Q&A sessions, Kuminga and coach Steve Kerr have said all of the right things publicly.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Tomlin tipped his cap and moved toward the door, where an impromptu receiving line formed, every player exchanging words and hugs with their now-former coach.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impromptu
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impromptu
Adjective
-
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana seeks to preserve that heritage, capturing the raw intensity and intimate, improvised interplay of the performers in Tablao Flamenco, coming to Dallas as part of the TITAS/Dance Unbound series.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Recent Emmy nominee and beloved Broadway star Michael Urie gets to embrace Brian’s egomania by preaching its benefits in an improvised TED talk… only to then repeatedly abandon his personal belief system in favor of the show’s supportive communal vibes.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.—
Ricky J. Sethi,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Some captains lead with unshakable idealism, others with tactical brilliance, and a few with a flair for improvisation that somehow always saves the day.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Above some critical energy threshold, interactions between those photons and a cosmic ray will be energetic enough that additional particles, like pions, will spontaneously be created.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The sense of community here has spontaneously given birth to productive rage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Worse, perhaps, leadership in moments of upheaval requires a certain theatricality and improvisational creativity that establishment Republican politicians tend to lack.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The bigger concern is the improvisational contributions from Nix — big scrambles, off-platform throws, odd-angle deliveries — have been a significant part of an offense that has struggled at times to hang its hat on anything else consistently.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
As a result, multiple similar searches were carried out at various points haphazardly and a tangle of bureaucracy made authorities play catch up to press reports rather than conduct independent and rational investigations.—
Solly Boussidan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Jan. 2026
-
But it shouldn't be invested in haphazardly, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The top eight in the final table will qualify automatically for the round of 16, skipping two extra play-off games.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Those increases automatically increase pay as workers amass more years of experience.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
When the building abruptly closed this spring, with tenants initially given just 48 hours to vacate, Hartquist hopped across the skyway to the Town Square building.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Tommy travels to Louisiana for a launch party marking the start of M-Tex’s offshore drilling project — but the celebration quickly unravels when Cami (Demi Moore) abruptly cuts ties with him.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impromptu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impromptu. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
