Synonyms of improvise

improvise

verb

ˈim-prə-ˌvīz 

as in to devise

to perform, make, or do without preparation

since the award was a complete surprise, I improvised an acceptance speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devise
• concoct
• extemporize
• fake
• ad-lib
• manufacture
• clap (together or up)
• invent
• hatch
• contrive
• think (up)
• cook (up)
• fabricate
• make up
• dash (off)
• cobble (together or up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prepare
• ready
• arrange
• lay
• consider
• study
• practice
• exercise
• contemplate
• ponder
• rehearse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of improvise

When it’s truly improvised, the camera is often focused on only one person for an entire pass of a conversation. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Zacharia had little time to prepare for the briefing, which can be a challenging joust with the press in which a press secretary needs to advocate on behalf of the administration and improvise quickly when tricky topics arise. — Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

If any of the above mandatory elements is missing, the system should not improvise. — Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Props to the whole team for trying to get the sketch back on track, and for Day improvising a small admonishment within the scene. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026