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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of improvise
The ability of Mahomes to extend plays and improvise is what scares defenses.
—
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
There have also been moments, adds Simons, where he’s tried to improvise the script on the spot — to less than optimal success.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
On stage, there is no escape and that, to me, is what is most exciting when improvising.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Grizzly said during the day his team uses improvised bunkers to keep their weapons hidden from Russian drones and artillery that operate from the far side of the river.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for improvise 
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
There have also been moments, adds Simons, where he’s tried to improvise the script on the spot — to less than optimal success.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
On stage, there is no escape and that, to me, is what is most exciting when improvising.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Grizzly said during the day his team uses improvised bunkers to keep their weapons hidden from Russian drones and artillery that operate from the far side of the river.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for improvise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvise
Verb
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View 1 Images Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have devised a biomarker test that can spot small amounts of clumping tau protein in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, which lead to Alzheimer's disease.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2025
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Suspicions rise amidst growing tensions in the city, and Cervantes, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, devises a daring plan for freedom.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Linda Gefen, Boca Raton The master of distraction Trump’s proposal that the U.S. take over the Gaza Strip and develop it into a beach paradise was concocted to distract us from his real agenda: demolish the government, replace federal workers with machines and give the savings to his rich friends.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
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Executive pastry chef Jess Robertson, Ian’s wife, concocts desserts ranging from $4 oatmeal cream pies to $100 banana splits.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
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
Thesaurus Entries Near improvise
Cite this Entry
“Improvise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvise. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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