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 Johnston’s seemingly off-the-cuff revelation came just moments before Disney’s corporate communications apparatus fired off an email alert confirming the Big Game’s sellout. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2026 You're also restricted to Program exposure for movies, reinforcing that this is a camera for occasional off-the-cuff video clips and not much more. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026 This wasn’t an off-the-cuff comment that came out poorly during a live discussion. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for off-the-cuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-cuff

Adjective

Plus spending two to three hours running — plus recovery time — on Saturdays and Sundays likely saved me from at least a few impromptu shopping trips.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
Paquette was in a ska/punk band in his youth, then began setting up impromptu music shows in rehearsal studios and other places.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adjective

The New Stanford Prison Experiment, Netflix’s take on a project that was always more convincing as improvisational theater than as scientific research, isn’t even television’s first crack at Zimbardo’s study.

— Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
These findings suggest that the audience for conversations about the soul is not shrinking, but shifting away from organized religion and toward more personal, improvisational forms of seeking.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of improvisational

Adjective

Carlos Montenegro California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Prison officials did not provided details on the circumstances of the attack but said two improvised weapons were found at the scene.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Prison staff discovered two improvised weapons at the scene, according to CDCR.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of off-the-cuff

adjective

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