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
Intrigued by the world of espionage, Bond finds an unexpected ally in M (Priyanga Burford), who sees his potential as an agent capable of taking control in messy situations by leaning into his instinctive and improvisational style.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 May 2026
From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill.
—CBS News, 26 May 2026
Sonny Rollins, the jazz legend dubbed the Saxophone Colossus who redefined the language of the genre with his inimitable improvisational skills, died on Monday at his home in Woodstock, NY.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Grisebach’s fourth feature is just such a marvel, a verité social drama, cast with non-professionals, that from the improvisational immediacy of small-scale real life, gradually gathers all the elements of a sprawling crime epic.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026
The hosts had sharp improvisational instincts, like many of the Strike Force Five pallbearers who joined Colbert for a more substantial sendoff earlier this month.
—Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
The documentary focuses on Bruce's life after more than 65 years in Hollywood, a title inspired by a phrase describing his improvisational acting style.
—Carita Rizzo, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Joined on his visit by son Hunter, what Fieri (and likely many viewers) discovered was a chef turning out dishes that are at once creative and accessible, improvisational yet simple.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 May 2026
From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill.
—CBS News, 26 May 2026
Sonny Rollins, the jazz legend dubbed the Saxophone Colossus who redefined the language of the genre with his inimitable improvisational skills, died on Monday at his home in Woodstock, NY.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Grisebach’s fourth feature is just such a marvel, a verité social drama, cast with non-professionals, that from the improvisational immediacy of small-scale real life, gradually gathers all the elements of a sprawling crime epic.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026
The hosts had sharp improvisational instincts, like many of the Strike Force Five pallbearers who joined Colbert for a more substantial sendoff earlier this month.
—Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
The documentary focuses on Bruce's life after more than 65 years in Hollywood, a title inspired by a phrase describing his improvisational acting style.
—Carita Rizzo, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Joined on his visit by son Hunter, what Fieri (and likely many viewers) discovered was a chef turning out dishes that are at once creative and accessible, improvisational yet simple.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvisational
Adjective
-
Instead of choosing one, Haze turned the process into an impromptu auction, asking buyers to bid against each other in $100,000 increments.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
His father, a volcano-curious engineer, drove him to the airport, where the elder Einarsson had convinced an airline pilot to take an impromptu flight over the new volcano.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
In March, a man bearing an AR-15-style rifle crashed a car loaded with improvised explosives into a Michigan Jewish preschool near dismissal time.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
-
The over 13-minute uncut interview shows the rapper thoroughly unsettling Colbert, in an improvised rap about, among other things, a romantic relationship between the pair of them.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvisational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvisational. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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