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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Jordan Greene, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
This kind of offhand remark contributes to a pattern in Republican circles where constitutional constraints are treated as flexible, potentially to gauge public reaction.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 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
What started as an offhand comment at brunch quickly became a life-changing commitment.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
This kind of offhand remark contributes to a pattern in Republican circles where constitutional constraints are treated as flexible, potentially to gauge public reaction.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for offhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhand
Adjective
-
One of Mark Consuelos' medical appointments turned into an impromptu celebrity meet-and-greet — all while the Live With Kelly & Mark cohost and All My Children actor was in his underwear.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
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What begins as a series of transactions between two consenting adults blossoms into a romance that ends with them tying the knot on an impromptu trip to Las Vegas.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Thou shalt pose for the cover, ideally smiling and having a casually joyous time.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Create Short, Snappy Messages Short, snappy messaging is great while people are in the mindset to casually scroll on social media.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After Rogen gave a short and seemingly improvised speech, Bargatze returned for a brief monologue.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The improvised nature of the production was born in part out of practical necessity.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lucian’s financial provisions were sporadic, and Coverley’s life became improvisational.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
But the Grateful Dead were an improvisational band.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Guterres noted that others working for the UN, as well as people working with NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions, have been arbitrarily detained in Yemen since 2021.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Thus, rather than allowing each AI maker to arbitrarily determine the rules to be employed, have lawmakers make those decisions and codify them into laws.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 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
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Other educators who spoke to the Herald describe parents cutting back on extracurricular activities, avoiding school pick-up and drop-off lines, and even keeping children home to study informally.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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When actually on the way to the stadium itself, players dressed informally, sometimes just in team sweats.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Large groups were indiscriminately huddled together and riddled with machine gun fire.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
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In times of uncertainty, there can be a knee-jerk reaction to either resist any cuts or to cut indiscriminately.—
Leila Saad,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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