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

Sharing the bill was David Rothenberg, a professor and a jazz musician who has improvised with collaborators including leafhoppers and humpback whales. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

With no margin for error and a cable that could fail at any moment, an unlikely alliance of rescuers must improvise under intense public scrutiny, racing against an invisible clock before disaster strikes live on television. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Duplantis does not recommend simply turning on the camera and improvising. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Middle Eastern actors have figured out how to improvise under pressure. — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026