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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 improvise
With limited supplies available, the pair improvised using items from passengers and crew — including blankets and a shoelace provided by a flight attendant, the outlet noted.
—
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
For Ubach, who improvised parts of the monologue, the speech was simply an expression of nerves for Suze.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, returning to a more comedic rhythm was a major highlight, especially with the freedom to improvise.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Bundelkhand is represented by Maans ke Dahi Bade, a lamb-and-lentil recipe improvised by Maharaja Digvijaya Singh of Sailana, while Panna finds its spot through the imperious-sounding Aash-e-Sangsheer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
For Ubach, who improvised parts of the monologue, the speech was simply an expression of nerves for Suze.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, returning to a more comedic rhythm was a major highlight, especially with the freedom to improvise.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Bundelkhand is represented by Maans ke Dahi Bade, a lamb-and-lentil recipe improvised by Maharaja Digvijaya Singh of Sailana, while Panna finds its spot through the imperious-sounding Aash-e-Sangsheer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvise
Verb
-
For instance, in 2020, Hendon’s lab helped devise a mathematical model for brewing the perfect cup of espresso, over and over, while minimizing waste.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Oak Park community united earlier this month to devise a plan to address public health in the absence of the hospital.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For decades, astronomers have concocted intricate computer models to predict how stars live and die.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
-
Just how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will concoct and deploy that approach, of course, will be a work in progress.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The future, instead, seems to belong to the teams and coaches who are willing to be a little more flexible and see their role as providing a platform on which their players might extemporize.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2023
-
Friends said he was talented and could extemporize about anything.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvise. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
