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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The key question here is whether the comment was feedback to be considered or simply an offhand remark to be dismissed.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
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 film gathers small details — a slight here, an offhand accusation there, a minor humiliation there — that collectively become overwhelming.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The key question here is whether the comment was feedback to be considered or simply an offhand remark to be dismissed.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
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
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But the studio’s initial footage and photos certainly led many to assume this was an impromptu moment, and media outlets covered the stunt without knowing the lucky tourists were hand-picked by the studio.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
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In an Instagram carousel posted on Tuesday, April 21, the mogul shared snaps from what appears to be an impromptu photo shoot in her home — with her massive wall of Hermès serving as a backdrop.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adverb
-
My doctors didn’t choose it casually.—
Payton Herres,
STAT,
19 May 2026
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What the Research Found About Stigma and Language The team behind the change did not arrive at PMOS casually.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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That data only reflects damage caused by airstrikes, drone attacks and remote and improvised explosive device, or IED, explosions.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
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Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP Portland police said in a statement Saturday night that during an ensuing search of the vehicle and building, investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices, some of which had partially detonated.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
America is offhandedly disregarding science.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Sometimes, Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock will offhandedly give you career advice.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Joined on his visit by son Hunter, what Fieri (and likely many viewers) discovered was a chef turning out dishes that are at once creative and accessible, improvisational yet simple.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
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But seeing the improvisational group War Babies provided the clarity Short desperately needed.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adverb
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According to Mavares, investigators then arbitrarily selected which officers would remain detained.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
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The constitutional principle behind that decision – that citizenship is a fundamental right which can’t be arbitrarily taken away by whoever happens to be in power – applies equally to how the government handles denaturalization cases today.—
Cassandra Burke Robertson,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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When Tel received the ball in his own half a couple of minutes later and lost it carelessly, there were a few groans from the home fans.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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During the pavilion’s preview, a brief but loud protest led by Russian dissident disruptors Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN might have been the most exciting thing to happen at the underwhelming and carelessly presented group show of live performance and video art.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Adverb
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If policies are vague, documentation is thin or authority is informally exercised, questions will follow.—
William Phillips,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Initially, Lyndes informally suggested the renovation project during a city budget planning session in early April.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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