as in to devise
to perform, make, or do without preparation
since the award was a complete surprise, I improvised an acceptance speech
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Recent Examples of improvise
With limited supplies available, the pair improvised using items from passengers and crew — including blankets and a shoelace provided by a flight attendant, the outlet noted.
—
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
For Ubach, who improvised parts of the monologue, the speech was simply an expression of nerves for Suze.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, returning to a more comedic rhythm was a major highlight, especially with the freedom to improvise.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Bundelkhand is represented by Maans ke Dahi Bade, a lamb-and-lentil recipe improvised by Maharaja Digvijaya Singh of Sailana, while Panna finds its spot through the imperious-sounding Aash-e-Sangsheer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
For Ubach, who improvised parts of the monologue, the speech was simply an expression of nerves for Suze.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, returning to a more comedic rhythm was a major highlight, especially with the freedom to improvise.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Bundelkhand is represented by Maans ke Dahi Bade, a lamb-and-lentil recipe improvised by Maharaja Digvijaya Singh of Sailana, while Panna finds its spot through the imperious-sounding Aash-e-Sangsheer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for improvise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvise
Verb
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Counties across the state have been pondering this crisis and devising solutions that can be accomplished in partnership with our state leaders — because this crisis is unquestionably our shared responsibility to solve.—
Monica Montgomery Steppe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
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Rue frantically offered to help get Alamo's money back, calling Faye (Chloe Cherry) up on the phone and devising a plan to get a safe key from Wayne (Toby Wallace).—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Their fragrances were always concocted around a storyline.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
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Driver’s character concocts a way for the duo to start an environmental business together as Russians, largely the mafia, are involved in recalibrating a canal in New York City.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The future, instead, seems to belong to the teams and coaches who are willing to be a little more flexible and see their role as providing a platform on which their players might extemporize.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2023
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Friends said he was talented and could extemporize about anything.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvise. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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