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
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
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
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
-
Arepas and coffee anchor impromptu support circles, as grieving customers cling to fragile hope for the missing.
-
An impromptu blind date with a handsome rapist ends with Esther punching him square in the nose, his blood gushing through her fingers.
Adverb
-
Nimin High-Waisted Trousers This trouser option comes in short lengths and can be worn casually with comfy sneakers for brunch, or dressed up with a blouse for the office.
-
The actress arrived at the stadium sporting tight curls and a red tracksuit, while Swift opted for an all-black ensemble, with a red jacket–which showed her support for the Kansas City Chiefs–casually draped over her shoulders.
Adjective
-
Outside hospitals, temporary shelters and improvised morgues, relatives continue posting photographs and names of missing family members on social media, hoping someone might recognize them or provide information about their fate.
-
An improvised rescue operation is searching for survivors after Venezuela’s historic earthquakes.
Adverb
-
Cardenas announced Apollo 3 in much the same way, offhandedly during our conversation.
-
America is offhandedly disregarding science.
Adjective
-
Leigh is known for making films in a collaborative, improvisational process with his performers and has stayed close with O’Flynn through the years.
-
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
-
Discussions on workforce capacity often arbitrarily stop counting at age 64, despite concerns over talent shortages and aging populations.
-
Six justices agreed that arbitrarily limiting how much party committees can spend in conjunction with their nominees violates the First Amendment.
Adverb
-
Officials said activities connected to people ‒ from fireworks to carelessly discarded cigarettes ‒ have sparked 75% of wildfires in Utah in 2026.
-
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
-
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.
-
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 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
