as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an improvisational comedy sketch that showcased his lightning-fast wit
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Recent Examples of improvisational
The impatience that Chase brought to his work, along with his provocative, improvisational style of comedy and communicating, feels a little like jazz.
—
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Famously outspoken with directors, Duvall frequently clashed with Beresford on set while pushing for a more improvisational approach.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Crockett is relaxed and improvisational.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Blueprints were rarely part of the process, which tended to be more improvisational.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
During various interviews last week, Minter talked about wanting to make things easier on Jackson, playing on schedule more and relying less on the quarterback’s improvisational skills to bail out the Ravens.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Thompson has explored visual art since moving to New Zealand, as well as starting an improvisational guitar-drums duo called Tondo.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
The president’s crackdown has adopted an improvisational approach, not an institutional one, with blurred leadership roles and no clear chain of command.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Jangly guitars and vaporwave sample collages shiver and burst, while Ritchie raps with an improvisational sensibility.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Famously outspoken with directors, Duvall frequently clashed with Beresford on set while pushing for a more improvisational approach.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Crockett is relaxed and improvisational.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Blueprints were rarely part of the process, which tended to be more improvisational.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
During various interviews last week, Minter talked about wanting to make things easier on Jackson, playing on schedule more and relying less on the quarterback’s improvisational skills to bail out the Ravens.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Thompson has explored visual art since moving to New Zealand, as well as starting an improvisational guitar-drums duo called Tondo.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
The president’s crackdown has adopted an improvisational approach, not an institutional one, with blurred leadership roles and no clear chain of command.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Jangly guitars and vaporwave sample collages shiver and burst, while Ritchie raps with an improvisational sensibility.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvisational
Adjective
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In the few hours between the staff announcement and the board meeting that would finalize her departure, district employees organized an impromptu send-off celebration for Allen.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
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Here, the pace is slower, the expectations feel more human, and, yes, the cost of living allows for a life that includes calmer mornings, impromptu adventures, and rest — real rest, the kind that invites creativity and allows ideas to take shape.—
Allison Irby Vu,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Months before Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans, the actor’s increasingly erratic behavior sparked concern on the set of his upcoming movie, three production sources say, culminating in the actor running across a live bullpen with a charging bull during an improvised scene.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
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Yet at just over three hours, and without a classic plotline, Dao can also be a patience-tester for those unwilling to groove to its improvised storytelling.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvisational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvisational. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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