OFF THE CUFF Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

off-the-cuff

adjective

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈkəf

Definition of off-the-cuff

as in impromptu

made or done without previous thought or preparation having gotten into hot water with some unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks, the candidate now limits himself to his carefully prepared campaign speech

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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 off-the-cuff Property management teams are encouraged to converse with residents to gain their off-the-cuff thoughts about the value of different amenities, Khouri says. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Lines that seem artlessly off-the-cuff on first pass accrue an unexpected weight and purpose the fourth time through; the countrified guitar lick that sounds so chipper at the start of a song is dripping with melancholy by the end. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026 This monologue, somewhat off-the-cuff and emotional, is one of the moments where the former disappeared and the latter became beloved. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 May 2026 The film feels fresh and off-the-cuff, as if someone traveled back to 1940 with an iPhone and hit record, chronicling the dark years of far-right obedience and moral decadence. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-the-cuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-cuff

Adjective

There is always an excuse for an impromptu barbecue, either with meat or, even better, fresh seafood; almost every group of friends here has at least one good fisherman.

— Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
These impromptu scrapes have no communication value — unlike community scrapes.

— Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adjective

Tsepetis’s improvisational approach to hospitality creates a home-away-from-home warmth that keeps many of his guests returning, year after year.

— Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Washington didn’t do enough this offseason to close the gap, and Jayden Daniels’ improvisational style still carries injury risk.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of improvisational

Adjective

As Yusuf helps Abu Khalil with his historical reenactment and builds his public profile through social media, the three become an improvised family.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
The 1986 film Frauenträume (Women’s Dreams), for instance, includes flight experiments on rooftops, love acts with an improvised rocket, and the emergence of a third breast at the center of a torso.

— Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of improvised

Browse Nearby Words

off-the-books

off-the-cuff

off-the-peg

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“Off-the-cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-cuff. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of off-the-cuff

adjective

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