as in devising
to perform, make, or do without preparation
since the award was a complete surprise, I improvised an acceptance speech
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Recent Examples of improvising
As a member of the Soultronics, as the 13-person touring band was called, Hamilton stood harmonizing and improvising behind the man who was crafting a new foundation for soul music.
—
Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The artist, whose real name is Jesús Roberto Laija García, accidentally created the character of Tito Double P by improvising and singing in his unique style during performances in various cities across Mexico.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Without governance, students receive mixed messages and faculty are left improvising in isolation.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Since 2022, Wysocki has established himself as social media’s favorite cast member on Make Some Noise, Dropout’s game show in which contestants are rewarded points for improvising scenes based on comedic prompts.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Which is especially odd considering the many examples of their peers improvising, adapting, repurposing players to fit a role as required.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Washington is unsurprisingly mesmerizing, improvising small gestures and throwing away lines.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
There is no need to look any further than Allen, Daboll’s former pupil, for a blueprint of how holding the ball and improvising can go right.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The artist, whose real name is Jesús Roberto Laija García, accidentally created the character of Tito Double P by improvising and singing in his unique style during performances in various cities across Mexico.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Without governance, students receive mixed messages and faculty are left improvising in isolation.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Since 2022, Wysocki has established himself as social media’s favorite cast member on Make Some Noise, Dropout’s game show in which contestants are rewarded points for improvising scenes based on comedic prompts.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Which is especially odd considering the many examples of their peers improvising, adapting, repurposing players to fit a role as required.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Washington is unsurprisingly mesmerizing, improvising small gestures and throwing away lines.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
There is no need to look any further than Allen, Daboll’s former pupil, for a blueprint of how holding the ball and improvising can go right.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvising
Verb
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For 39 years, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act has required redistricting institutions to consider racial and ethnic minority representation when devising congressional districts.—
Sam D. Hayes,
The Conversation,
13 Oct. 2025
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The problem in devising such a tax is defining what constitutes a robot.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But in the late 1800s, food companies began concocting products that were wildly different from anything people could make themselves.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fightful reports rumors that Rollins faking an injury aren't true.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Upon receiving the handoff, Pacheco hesitated for a beat before faking left, juking right and breaking a tackle on the way to his longest rush of the season — a 16-yard gain on a drive that ended in a Kansas City touchdown.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improvising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvising. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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