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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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

Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 June 2026 Next, craft subject lines that are short, intriguing, and offhand, mimicking a friend's message to boost open rates. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 June 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

There is always an excuse for an impromptu barbecue, either with meat or, even better, fresh seafood; almost every group of friends here has at least one good fisherman.

— Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
These impromptu scrapes have no communication value — unlike community scrapes.

— Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adverb

And then Ed Sheeran (played by Annabel Marlow) casually walks in to weigh in on the situation.

— Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026
Still, the current team does have a rare shot at shaping an orchestra that is not only reliably exciting and frequently profound but also casually bold and genuinely fun — making for a crucial presence in the city as well as at Geffen Hall.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of casually

Adjective

As Yusuf helps Abu Khalil with his historical reenactment and builds his public profile through social media, the three become an improvised family.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
The 1986 film Frauenträume (Women’s Dreams), for instance, includes flight experiments on rooftops, love acts with an improvised rocket, and the emergence of a third breast at the center of a torso.

— Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of improvised

Adverb

To minimize conflict concerns, Mare offhandedly volunteers to temporarily work at the Cincinnati Chronicle, the Teller’s sister paper, while some of its staff members are on maternity leave.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of offhandedly

Adjective

The 28-year-old QB has succeeded when supported by consistent line play, yet also boasts improvisational skills that set him apart from many NFL starters.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026
Tsepetis’s improvisational approach to hospitality creates a home-away-from-home warmth that keeps many of his guests returning, year after year.

— Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of improvisational

Adverb

Jasson Domínguez, still a liability on defense, carelessly let a leadoff single bounce past him and roll to the wall in right for a two-base error, but Cole managed to strand the runner at third and logged a scoreless frame.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Omar Alderete, O’Nien’s second-half replacement, carelessly did the same thing for the late winner.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of carelessly

Adverb

While the State Department has informally notified key congressional committees about the pending sale, the administration has not yet initiated a formal review process and the package has not been finalized, the sources said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Set in Edgewater, the untitled offshoot is informally referred to as Edge Med.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of informally

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

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Synonyms of offhand

adjective

adverb

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