as in concocts
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 improvises
That night, the host improvises his way through more than three hours of unedited tribal council drama.
—
David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Sharon Udoh Udoh composes, writes and improvises hymns.
—Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Marcus du Sautoy believes that the creative impulses underlying mathematics and art are so similar that any artist working in any form improvises mathematically even when the artist doesn’t know it.
—Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Paul improvises a blowtorch and singes Carey’s face, leaving his peepers hairless.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Sharon Udoh Udoh composes, writes and improvises hymns.
—Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Marcus du Sautoy believes that the creative impulses underlying mathematics and art are so similar that any artist working in any form improvises mathematically even when the artist doesn’t know it.
—Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
At one point, Paul improvises a blowtorch and singes Carey’s face, leaving his peepers hairless.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvises
Verb
-
The administration concocts a legal rationale for a foreign policy objective.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Executive pastry chef Jess Robertson, Ian’s wife, concocts desserts ranging from $4 oatmeal cream pies to $100 banana splits.—
Mary LeBus,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
As the doppelganger charms the internet and devises a nefarious plot to replace mankind with brainrot, Shiori must partner with other online outcasts to stop her digital counterpart and reclaim her life in the real world.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In the past, Cooper — who seems to have finally reconciled with his wife, Barb (Frances Turner) — devises a plan to stop the ongoing wars over power with Congresswoman Welch to get the cold fusion diode into the hands of the President of the United States (played by series newcomer Clancy Brown).—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvises. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
