AD-LIB Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

ad-lib 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of ad-lib

as in impromptu

made or done without previous thought or preparation not bad for an ad-lib comedy routine

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ad-lib

2 of 3

noun

as in improvisation

something that is performed, made, or done without preparation you would never suspect that that stirring speech was an ad-lib

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ad-lib

3 of 3

verb

ˈad-ˈlib

as in to improvise

to perform, make, or do without preparation had to ad-lib constructing a piñata because she'd never actually seen it being done

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ad-lib

Adjective

At the same time, more ad-lib moments are often expected onstage, bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. —Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023

Verb

The camera then cut to Tiger Woods — co-founder of the new three-on-three golf league — who broke out into a wide smile, laughing and shaking his head at the ad-lib. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025 While much of the show was scripted, Lowe was also allowed to ad-lib, which further helped solidify the show’s off-kilter, edgy sense of humor. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025 During their jam session with Bad Bunny, the group was able to ad-lib an element unique to their hometown: the tale of Jacinto, a farmer who is dragged by his cow into a ocean blowhole, famously known as Jacinto’s pit cave. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025 First of all, Megan gets to ad-lib every night and comes up with really funny lines every single night. —Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024 According to Patton Oswalt, the cast would ad-lib jokes for Reynolds to say to Blade in Snipes’s absence. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024 But little did Pearson know, Key would one-up these references with an ad-lib. —Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024 McCall’s ad-lib joke about beetles (as in the insect) got them the biggest laugh. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024 Once, the teleprompter unexpectedly rebooted toward the end of a speech, forcing Biden to ad-lib while his speechwriter at the time, Dylan Loewe, frantically retyped the ending in real time. —Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 4 July 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ad-lib

Adjective

So The White House doors have been thrown open to some 200 guests, with pop star Kylie Minogue doing an impromptu live set.

— Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Ahead of Thursday's episode (9 p.m. ET), Bassett and Jackson preview what's to come of Athena's impromptu cruise.

— Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025