OFFHAND Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

offhand 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of offhand

as in impromptu

made or done without previous thought or preparation an offhand comment that later caused the politician much embarrassment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

offhand

2 of 2

adverb

as in casually

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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

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

Mara, Lisa and Astrid say bizarre and unsettling things, their cruelty and spite sometimes offhand, sometimes calculated. — Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Apr. 2022 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 See All Example Sentences for offhand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhand

Adjective

On the flight after the impromptu stop, Yeltsin sat motionless with his head in his hands, considering the bare shelves of Soviet food markets.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
The Pitmate™ electric smoker makes authentic BBQ practical enough for weeknight dinners, impromptu family gatherings, and casual outdoor entertaining.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adverb

The offseason especially has turned into showcase opportunities for players across social media and beyond, either casually or in tournament form.

— Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News Miami appears to show the three female suspects enter the store on Wednesday to casually look at clothes.

— Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of casually

Adjective

That's enough to loosen steep slopes where some of the 210,000 islanders live off the grid in improvised housing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Forecasters warn that up to 25 inches of rain and powerful winds could trigger life-threatening flooding, mudslides and even wildfires, especially in remote communities where many residents live off the grid in improvised housing.

— Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvised

Adverb

With the wedding just a few weeks away, Gail offhandedly introduces Tom to the concept of the celebrity pass, in which each person in a committed partnership is allowed to have sex with one famous person of his or her choice, identified in advance.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Cardenas announced Apollo 3 in much the same way, offhandedly during our conversation.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of offhandedly

Adjective

This reflects the improvisational attitude that Pan, who has released several albums, first developed as a genre-defying musician and composer.

— News Desk, Artforum, 31 July 2026
Kiesler and his heirs envisioned architecture that would make the arts more available, provisional, improvisational, democratic, and participatory, more playful and less aloof.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

Definition of improvisational

Adverb

Attorneys for the players said Thursday that the Cobb County court found the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on claims that the NCAA applied its eligibility rules arbitrarily and inconsistently.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
The government says the law does not allow land to be taken arbitrarily.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of arbitrarily

Adverb

Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Kylese Perryman claims his rights were violated, saying investigators carelessly and incorrectly identified him as the man responsible for a violent felony.

— Ubah Ali, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of carelessly

Adverb

Arsenal aren’t obliged to ask anyone’s permission before exploring the market — clubs routinely sound out interest and explore deals informally.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
People have been informally betting on Mother Nature for more than 100 years, Pietruska said, dating to the 1880s when people in India would gamble on whether a rain gauge would overflow during a monsoon.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of informally

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“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offhand

adjective

adverb

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