as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an offhand comment that later caused the politician much embarrassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in casually
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offhand
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
This spring, the singer Zara Larsson, who made an offhand remark in an interview that angered Taylor Swift fans, posted a defense in an Instagram Story that included at least two typos (among them a misspelling of physical as psychical).
—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
1 Nov. 2021
Thomas didn’t know offhand but circled back to him with the answer: Six.
—
Amie Just | Staff Writer,
NOLA.com,
25 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for offhand
Adjective
She’s only mentioned in an offhand conversation between Lexi and Cassie.
—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
This spring, the singer Zara Larsson, who made an offhand remark in an interview that angered Taylor Swift fans, posted a defense in an Instagram Story that included at least two typos (among them a misspelling of physical as psychical).
—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Adverb
The Trolley Problem entails having to make difficult choices, contextually herein in the nature of driving decisions, and is often offhand dismissed by some as a misleading folly in the self-driving realm.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
1 Nov. 2021
Thomas didn’t know offhand but circled back to him with the answer: Six.
—
Amie Just | Staff Writer,
NOLA.com,
25 Dec. 2020
See All Example Sentences for offhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhand
Adjective
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Arepas and coffee anchor impromptu support circles, as grieving customers cling to fragile hope for the missing.
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An impromptu blind date with a handsome rapist ends with Esther punching him square in the nose, his blood gushing through her fingers.
Adverb
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Cybersecurity buyers rarely engage casually.
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In one stunning shot, a dragon surges into battle, casually dragging a toe across the water.
Adjective
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Across La Guaira, the coastal state hardest-hit by the disaster, and in parts of Caracas, thousands of residents are spending nights outdoors in plazas, parks, sports courts and improvised encampments, sleeping on mattresses, blankets and folding chairs.
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Eventually, the rewrite and actors workshop rehearsal combined — a two-week period in which Jones, McCormick, Wilde, Rogen, Cruz, and Norton acted out, improvised scenes, and, most importantly, talked about characters.
Adverb
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America is offhandedly disregarding science.
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Sometimes, Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock will offhandedly give you career advice.
Adjective
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Leigh is known for making films in a collaborative, improvisational process with his performers and has stayed close with O’Flynn through the years.
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The 34th annual edition of this popular festival, which focuses on improvisational, funk, roots and various styles of jam band music, takes place at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
Adverb
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The movie-release calendar, though often arbitrarily assembled, can sometimes place seemingly unrelated works in meaningful proximity—and in conversation.
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Administrators don’t act arbitrarily, and their actions are publicly logged and closely scrutinized.
Adverb
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Officials said activities connected to people ‒ from fireworks to carelessly discarded cigarettes ‒ have sparked 75% of wildfires in Utah in 2026.
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Under a new Douglas County ordinance, illegally operating an OHV, driving one carelessly or recklessly, and not wearing a helmet if under 18 could land you with up to a $1,000 fine.
Adverb
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Clyne returned to Palace, initially being invited to train with the club informally in September 2020 before he was awarded a contract until the end of January, which was then extended several times.
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Gehrig, the New York Yankees player for whom the disease was informally named, brought global awareness to ALS after his diagnosis in the 1930s.
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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