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

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

By evening, vendors began wrapping up a busy day while Koguchi took the stage herself for an impromptu musical performance.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
In July, Jay-Z took aim at Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers star, mentioning him and his settlement with the NFL in an impromptu rap during a series of concerts at Yankee Stadium.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of impromptu

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

Fans of the popular comedy podcast were greeted with a generic British woman’s voice stating the episode number today instead of Watts’ improvisational beatboxing riff that served as the show’s intro since 2011.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
The interactivity and reliance on improvisational actors limits audience size to around seven people at a time, Lyons said.

— David Bloom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvisational

Adverb

The plaintiffs also argue the city has not conducted a proper analysis of how the city-run stores will affect local businesses, alleging city officials selected sites arbitrarily and failed to study neighborhood needs.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of arbitrarily

Adverb

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
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

Definition of carelessly

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“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offhand

adjective

adverb

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