haphazard 1 of 2

haphazard

2 of 2

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word haphazard distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words casual and random are common synonyms of haphazard. While all three words mean "determined by accident rather than design," haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

When can casual be used instead of haphazard?

Although the words casual and haphazard have much in common, casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

When is random a more appropriate choice than haphazard?

While the synonyms random and haphazard are close in meaning, random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

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 haphazard
Adjective
In lieu of federal regulation, there was a haphazard patchwork of state and local laws surrounding certain foods pre-1906. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 Others may be haphazard power grabs, or may amount to something more. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 The public, too, could become less tolerant of state action as DOGE’s drive to move fast yields haphazard mistakes. Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Too often, deals in the creator space are haphazard or misaligned. Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
Adjective
  • Avoid long strings of random numbers, special characters or irrelevant details.
    Nick Zviadadze, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Previous studies landed on either side of the one coin: the formation was random, or that the animals deliberately took up positions that protected vulnerable animals from attack.
    Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • State lawmakers can and should repeal the arbitrary two-year rule.
    Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
  • Officials have often shaken this number off as arbitrary, but agree military spending needs to surge from the 2 percent benchmark of the last decade, and quickly.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • According to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, the team's complaint is due to erratic driving behind the safety car and not leaving an appropriate gap.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • And some erratic vibrations were detected at points last week as the stark outperformance of year-to-date laggards over the top 2025 performers prompted some comparisons to the nasty momentum-stock reversal of February and March that upset the market well before the tariff panic.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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