as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an offhand comment that later caused the politician much embarrassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in casually
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 offhand
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
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
That means an offhand remark could live far longer than the meeting itself.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offhand
Adjective
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
Adverb
Kimmel had suggested during a seemingly offhand comment in Monday’s monologue that suspected Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson was a MAGA member.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
That means an offhand remark could live far longer than the meeting itself.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhand
Adjective
-
The three-day Nashville event (like the position) has grown in popularity and recognition — especially so after Taylor Swift, the most famous pop star on the planet who also happens to be engaged to Kelce, gave an impromptu performance at one of its parties last summer.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The only meeting that could possibly eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Perry, who earlier this year split from her longtime partner and father of her daughter, the actor Orlando Bloom, was wearing a dark one-piece bathing suit, with her hair swept casually into a bun.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The collared neck, button-down front, and tie-waist detail provide a dressier look, but the breathable material and loose fit allows it to be worn casually as well.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Deep shots, screens, improvised plays, even a flea-flicker touchdown to Luther Burden III.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks across northeastern Syria, relying on a combination of guerrilla tactics, including small arms fire, ambushes, assassinations, and improvised explosive devices targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles.—
Caroline Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The tragedy side of things is addressed rather offhandedly — occasionally the movie will remember the boggling grief and betrayal at its center, only to shrug it off again just as quickly.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In each episode, a VIP is escorted down a red carpet by three comedic bodyguards, facing a series of physical and mental challenges designed to test their wit, courage and improvisational skills.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
-
MacKinnon put the Avs on the board first with some improvisational magic.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Iran has accused France of arbitrarily detaining Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student living in the French city of Lyon, who was arrested this year over anti-Israel social media posts.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
However, a few unexplained puzzles remained, leading scientists to question whether the most extreme predictions of the Big Bang, including arbitrarily high temperatures and an origin from a singularity, were actually correct.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Wallets, coins, and rings are carelessly passed around this little society, and messages are corrupted—from Orsino’s wooing of Olivia, which is accidentally undone by his own go-between, Viola, to the letters that deceive Malvolio.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
-
But also just a touch ironic — like a man handing out fire safety pamphlets while carelessly flipping burgers over a bonfire on his porch.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Hanging below the vast cosmic heart is a knot of dust and gas known informally as the Fishhead Nebula, thanks to its vaguely oval outline and a dark dust filament that gives it the appearance of an aquatic creature.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Bodine said that the HOA wanted to try to resolve the concerns informally and come to a resolution.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share