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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Kimmel had suggested during a seemingly offhand comment in Monday’s monologue that suspected Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson was a MAGA member.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Earlier this year, an offhand comment from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sparked speculation that the government’s gold hoard would be marked to market, releasing a windfall of hundreds of billions of dollars.
—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.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhand
Adjective
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This adds a layer of spontaneity to your dating life, increasing the potential for chemistry and impromptu love stories that catch you by surprise.—
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Stock up on this frozen item to serve at impromptu parties.—
Adverb
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These pull-on style pants can easily be dressed down with a T-shirt to wear casually, or with a nice blouse or dress shirt and be boardroom-ready.—
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Dress casually for fun exercise and meet new, friendly people.—
Adjective
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Mochrie then performs an improvised comedy act with the semi-conscious volunteers.—
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This writing had an intimate, improvised feel and often took a looser approach to craft; much of it was written with performance in mind.—
Adverb
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Sometimes, Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock will offhandedly give you career advice.—
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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.—
Adjective
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Their fans, known as Deadheads, would tour along from city to city and revel in the constantly changing set lists, extended soloing and improvisational jamming that gave each show a unique flavor.—
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Their music — called acid rock at its inception — would pull in blues, jazz, country, folk and psychedelia in long improvisational jams at their concerts.—
Adverb
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In its latest estimate, Foro Penal, an independent NGO that provides pro bono legal services to people detained arbitrarily, said more than 800 political prisoners were still behind bars.—
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France had maintained Vinatier was arbitrarily detained and had called for his release.—
Adverb
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As flawed generative AI tools continue to be used carelessly, without the necessary follow-up work of checking for hallucinations, experts warn that agencies like NWS could inflict serious damage to their reputation and authority.—
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Florida has a prohibition on carelessly carrying a gun.—
Adverb
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That means giving back, informally, to fulfill teachers’ wish lists and with the Eagles Autism Foundation.—
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So, is the idea to replicate the British pub experience of people discussing hot topics informally?—
Cite this Entry
“Offhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhand. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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