as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
stumbled through an improvised reply to an unexpected question at the press conference
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in devised
to perform, make, or do without preparation
since the award was a complete surprise, I improvised an acceptance speech
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of improvised
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Mochrie then performs an improvised comedy act with the semi-conscious volunteers.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
This writing had an intimate, improvised feel and often took a looser approach to craft; much of it was written with performance in mind.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Carolina’s only touchdown came on an improvised Young scramble.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Our improvised team of rescuers communicated between the hut and the trail via Garmin InReach.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
While the pipe bombs did not detonate, both items were assessed as viable improvised explosive devices, police said.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
In nature, the three transform into swift reptilian beasts who romp and belt out improvised songs.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Authorities also found two improvised explosives at the scene, which the police commissioner said were later deactivated by police.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Linklater used Dazed and Confused to continue developing his signature style — as seen in his first feature, Slacker (1990) — for making naturalistic movies crammed with contemporary dialogue, some of which was improvised by his cast.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Australian authorities also said that the shooters had improvised explosives and homemade ISIS flags in their vehicle.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Reinerologists would add This Is Spinal Tap to that run, his 1984 feature debut that was largely improvised by Reiner and co-stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Largely improvised, the film follows the spiraling fortunes of once-famous band Spinal Tap, chronicled by director Marty DiBergi, played by Reiner.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Refineries are adding improvised overhead netting and shielding, for instance.
—Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2025
That’s when the quarterback improvised.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Also, Dylan improvised in a way the Beatles didn’t.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Davis is a master of jazz, improvised music and both traditional and contemporary classical traditions.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Mochrie then performs an improvised comedy act with the semi-conscious volunteers.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
This writing had an intimate, improvised feel and often took a looser approach to craft; much of it was written with performance in mind.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Carolina’s only touchdown came on an improvised Young scramble.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Our improvised team of rescuers communicated between the hut and the trail via Garmin InReach.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
While the pipe bombs did not detonate, both items were assessed as viable improvised explosive devices, police said.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
In nature, the three transform into swift reptilian beasts who romp and belt out improvised songs.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Authorities also found two improvised explosives at the scene, which the police commissioner said were later deactivated by police.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
He was joined on stage by his wife, Alexis Roderick, and introduced two young daughters, Della and Remy, who improvised dance routines throughout the crowd-rousing 12-minute cameo.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Linklater used Dazed and Confused to continue developing his signature style — as seen in his first feature, Slacker (1990) — for making naturalistic movies crammed with contemporary dialogue, some of which was improvised by his cast.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Australian authorities also said that the shooters had improvised explosives and homemade ISIS flags in their vehicle.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025
Reinerologists would add This Is Spinal Tap to that run, his 1984 feature debut that was largely improvised by Reiner and co-stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Largely improvised, the film follows the spiraling fortunes of once-famous band Spinal Tap, chronicled by director Marty DiBergi, played by Reiner.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Refineries are adding improvised overhead netting and shielding, for instance.
—Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2025
That’s when the quarterback improvised.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Also, Dylan improvised in a way the Beatles didn’t.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvised
Adjective
-
The next morning, Kirschenheiter and Mullen had an impromptu photo shoot to commemorate their engagement.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Guests conducted impromptu interviews, cracked inside jokes, and left messages that felt far more personal than anything staged.—
Sara Radin,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Outside of the theory itself being devised by conscious humans using their brains, there’s scant reason to think so.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
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Trump has instead engaged in a clumsy cover-up, insisting that the files are both a fantastical hoax devised by his enemies and also too boring to even merit discussion.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The group’s improvisational performances, relentless touring and fiercely loyal fan base — the Deadheads — transformed live music into a cultural movement.—
Jane Tyska,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In exchange for not being charged with a DUI, the family’s lawyer concocted a deal in which Skakel was sent to the controversial Élan School in Maine in an effort to correct his unruly behavior.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
7 Dec. 2025
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Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report concocted this trade idea that sees the Lakers land and shore up both their frontcourt and backcourt, the Dallas Mavericks duo of former All-Star Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In order to fully get away with the crimes, Alice faked having dementia, so no one would ever suspect her.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Less than two minutes later, on a fast break, Jalen Douglas faked a shot, then dumped the ball down low to Sims, who scored on a layup.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvised. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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