as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
an improvisational comedy sketch that showcased his lightning-fast wit
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Recent Examples of improvisational
Worse, perhaps, leadership in moments of upheaval requires a certain theatricality and improvisational creativity that establishment Republican politicians tend to lack.
—
Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The bigger concern is the improvisational contributions from Nix — big scrambles, off-platform throws, odd-angle deliveries — have been a significant part of an offense that has struggled at times to hang its hat on anything else consistently.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
While business can often be improvisational, military actions are carefully planned, purpose-driven, and proactive.
—Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Audiences can expect an energetic evening as Asriel Davis and Isaiah Shim showcase their technical skill and improvisational style at the keys.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
Already a legendary comedian, Winters was famous for his improvisational genius long before joining Mork & Mindy.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
The group’s improvisational performances, relentless touring and fiercely loyal fan base — the Deadheads — transformed live music into a cultural movement.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Weir had to become the Other One and find his space in the world’s most iconic improvisational rock band.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The bigger concern is the improvisational contributions from Nix — big scrambles, off-platform throws, odd-angle deliveries — have been a significant part of an offense that has struggled at times to hang its hat on anything else consistently.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
While business can often be improvisational, military actions are carefully planned, purpose-driven, and proactive.
—Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Audiences can expect an energetic evening as Asriel Davis and Isaiah Shim showcase their technical skill and improvisational style at the keys.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
Already a legendary comedian, Winters was famous for his improvisational genius long before joining Mork & Mindy.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
The group’s improvisational performances, relentless touring and fiercely loyal fan base — the Deadheads — transformed live music into a cultural movement.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Weir had to become the Other One and find his space in the world’s most iconic improvisational rock band.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvisational
Adjective
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But such impromptu races weren’t unknown at the time.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some stood on large metal dumpsters that blocked all traffic, banging on them, while others gave speeches at the growing impromptu memorial for Pretti, who was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana seeks to preserve that heritage, capturing the raw intensity and intimate, improvised interplay of the performers in Tablao Flamenco, coming to Dallas as part of the TITAS/Dance Unbound series.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Recent Emmy nominee and beloved Broadway star Michael Urie gets to embrace Brian’s egomania by preaching its benefits in an improvised TED talk… only to then repeatedly abandon his personal belief system in favor of the show’s supportive communal vibes.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improvisational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvisational. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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