OFFHANDED Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

offhanded

adjective

ˈȯf-ˈhan-dəd

Definition of offhanded

as in impromptu

made or done without previous thought or preparation a quick, offhanded suggestion that was actually much better than any of the prepared proposals

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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 offhanded An almost offhanded mention of suicide in passing is as close to heavy-handed as things get. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 The songs on the last few Bon Iver albums often sound like excerpts from a longer dialogue, at turns offhanded and intense, among collaborators. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026 So this little offhanded comment of his changed my life. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026 Mistress constantly has her wheels turning looking for avenues to rattle the queens, but Nicole does so with a single offhanded comment that cuts to the quick. — Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025 During last week's postgame media availability, Jalen Hurts made a seemingly offhanded comment about Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. — Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 In a recent interview, the former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made an offhanded comment that connected a few dots for me. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offhanded

Adjective

Harley walked into an impromptu interview to become the Huskies interim coach, and less than 48 hours later, NIU announced Hammock’s resignation and Harley’s promotion.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Segovia, a percussionist, has always filled his home with music – playing impromptu concerts for the neighborhood out of open garage doors or inviting friends and fellow musicians over to jam.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impromptu

Adjective

That's enough to loosen steep slopes where some of the 210,000 islanders live off the grid in improvised housing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Forecasters warn that up to 25 inches of rain and powerful winds could trigger life-threatening flooding, mudslides and even wildfires, especially in remote communities where many residents live off the grid in improvised housing.

— Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvised

Adjective

Fans of the popular comedy podcast were greeted with a generic British woman’s voice stating the episode number today instead of Watts’ improvisational beatboxing riff that served as the show’s intro since 2011.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
The interactivity and reliance on improvisational actors limits audience size to around seven people at a time, Lyons said.

— David Bloom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of improvisational

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offhand

offhanded

offhandedly

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“Offhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offhanded. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offhanded

adjective

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