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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offhand
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
The parental confession was prompted when Bush Hager's guest cohost, Andy Cohen, made an offhand critique of the Disney flick, which centers on a young girl named Cinderella who works as a servant for her mean-spirited stepmother and stepsisters after the death of her widowed father.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
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
The title of the latter track was inspired by an offhand quip from Peebles during one particularly heavy downpour.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
The parental confession was prompted when Bush Hager's guest cohost, Andy Cohen, made an offhand critique of the Disney flick, which centers on a young girl named Cinderella who works as a servant for her mean-spirited stepmother and stepsisters after the death of her widowed father.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
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
-
In the few hours between the staff announcement and the board meeting that would finalize her departure, district employees organized an impromptu send-off celebration for Allen.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Here, the pace is slower, the expectations feel more human, and, yes, the cost of living allows for a life that includes calmer mornings, impromptu adventures, and rest — real rest, the kind that invites creativity and allows ideas to take shape.—
Allison Irby Vu,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
With perfect timing, Broderick shows up, casually scratching his ear.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2026
-
That’s not something to fade casually.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Months before Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans, the actor’s increasingly erratic behavior sparked concern on the set of his upcoming movie, three production sources say, culminating in the actor running across a live bullpen with a charging bull during an improvised scene.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Yet at just over three hours, and without a classic plotline, Dao can also be a patience-tester for those unwilling to groove to its improvised storytelling.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Sometimes, Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock will offhandedly give you career advice.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
The impatience that Chase brought to his work, along with his provocative, improvisational style of comedy and communicating, feels a little like jazz.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Famously outspoken with directors, Duvall frequently clashed with Beresford on set while pushing for a more improvisational approach.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That standard would uphold the NCAA’s interpretation of the waiver rule so long as the NCAA didn’t act arbitrarily or capriciously, either of which is difficult to show.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There are questions about the rights of citizens versus non-citizens, the rights of the US to pull visas arbitrarily.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Although your emotions on a contentious subject need to be heard and processed by you, airing them carelessly to others might inflame the drama further.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Journalists and pundits tend to throw around plaudits a little too carelessly these days.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Jackson — only 26, and not yet an ordained minister — was dressed informally, in a loose jacket and a hip collarless pullover that distinguished him from the dark-suited, pulpit-ready King and King's conservatively attired associates.—
John Beifuss,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
18 Feb. 2026
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After contacting Robbie Keane and informally approaching Edin Terzic and Marco Rose about the vacancy, Igor Tudor was announced as Frank’s replacement over the weekend.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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