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
Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Punt e Mes 3 dashes Angostura Bitters This certainly isn’t the most popular of Manhattan variations, despite being one of the few scotch cocktails people can name offhand.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 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
That offhand remark set everything in motion, from the designs to the dance floor.
—Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Punt e Mes 3 dashes Angostura Bitters This certainly isn’t the most popular of Manhattan variations, despite being one of the few scotch cocktails people can name offhand.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 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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Like others, his first impromptu stop at the museum came while driving across the state for political events.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Particular kudos for being able to respond swiftly and smoothly to special needs and impromptu requests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
In one casually stunning composition, Ion looms in the foreground over the rooftops of Cluj in the background.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Before the huge climactic shoot-out — there’s always a huge climactic shoot-out — someone casually goes through a location and places all sorts of extra guns throughout the space, hiding them in refrigerators and under pool tables and whatnot.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In Russia and Ukraine, soldiers have learned to protect their tanks from drone strikes using improvised nets and boxes, which cover the vehicles like a turtle shell.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Last year, British electronic producer Actress and modular synthesis pioneer Suzanne Ciani performed an improvised piece titled Concrète Waves at the Barbican in London and Barcelona’s Sónar Festival.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Sometimes, Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock will offhandedly give you career advice.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Nov. 2025
-
The tragedy side of things is addressed rather offhandedly — occasionally the movie will remember the boggling grief and betrayal at its center, only to shrug it off again just as quickly.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The improvisational locavore mastery of Sharon Hage at York Street Cafe.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Even if the new music is largely inert, BTS are still able to make these scenes come alive with a special improvisational energy.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Salvadoran nationals who were deported from the United States have been arbitrarily detained in El Salvador and have disappeared into the Central American nation's prison system, according to a Human Rights Watch report released on Monday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The dollar amount was chosen arbitrarily based on what voters might accept, and some cynics saw it as a move by a pro-development commission to cozy up to environmentalists.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Treat the produce section carelessly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
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Residents were treated carelessly, disrespectfully, insensitively.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In this alternate past, a fatal blood virus, known informally as the Red Wind, has been ravaging the population for about a decade.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Mehl notes that some organizations attempt to manage IT informally, purchasing software subscriptions and hardware without building a structured support system around them.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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