AD-LIBS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

ad-libs 1 of 2

noun

plural of ad-lib

as in improvisations

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ad-libs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ad-lib

as in improvises

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-libs

Verb

Tyler is having a little fun stretching his ad-libs like TisaKorean. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026 Recently, Chance The Rapper told DJ Bootleg Kev about Mac playing a vital role in one of his most famous ad-libs, noting that the moment occurred during an LA recording session with Chuck Inglish. — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025 Urban often ad-libs comments when performing the song live. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 Between the ad-libs to start the cut and rapping over drill 808s mixed with Jersey club, Cardi appears to be taking a page out of the Ice Spice playbook. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ad-libs

Noun

These cocktail cars are the latest additions in a decade of Skunk Train team improvisations in the wake of long history and, more recently, trouble on the tracks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
But Gurdon doesn’t hold up the caprices and improvisations of her childhood as either a model or a cautionary tale.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of improvisations

Verb

Moore begins with a whisper and builds to a roar as Mona improvises a manic rant that involves rats and the plague.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Xi is not a transactional politician who improvises policy on a whim, who posts his intentions on social media, or changes his mind in the meeting.

— Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of improvises

Verb

Determined to win her back, Ralph devises a crazy plan involving kidnapping the former child star of his favorite Christmas movie.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Her path crosses with that of Inocência, an enslaved Black woman who possesses healing knowledge, knows the land, and devises her own strategies of resistance.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of devises

Verb

The new film continues the story of the conclusion of Holland’s third Spider-Man film, where Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) concocts a spell to make everyone forget Peter as a way to save the multiverse.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Driver’s character concocts a way for the duo to start an environmental business together as Russians, largely the mafia, are involved in recalibrating a canal in New York City.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 May 2026

Definition of concocts

Verb

When Jeremy doesn’t succeed in killing her, Verity fakes her paralysis while using his time out of the house to bond with their son and write these letters.

— Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Seminole fakes the extra point kick and Luis Ojeda-Robles runs the ball in for the two point conversion.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fakes

Browse Nearby Words

ad-libbing

ad-libs

admeasure

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ad-libs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ad-libs. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ad-libs

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes