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
Once the heart of a massive, 15,000-acre property owned in the 19th century by a man named Nicolas Den, it had been parceled out in a haphazard way over the years and then partially reassembled, leaving Himovitz with a piece of land whose shape resembles an upside-down boot. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 The collections have felt too laden with merch, too bloated with haphazard ideas. Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 The mass arrests and roundups thus far have been so haphazard that there is a very real likelihood that innocent individuals have also been swept up and deported. Nisha Whitehead, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2025 But swirling around it are immigration restrictions, headlong and haphazard reductions in Federal spending and a separate but related confidence shock weighing on consumer behavior. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
Adjective
  • Her old boss Raymond King (J.K. Simmons), someone Chris had helped, was shot dead in LA and left a wall of random evidence involving a broken family, human trafficking and global assassinations.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The company, which started in 2015 and sells itself as a meal kit service, is actually closer to an online grocery store than a place that’s going to send you half an onion wrapped in plastic and a tiny baggy of cumin to make some so-so black bean tacos or a random stir fry.
    Carina Finn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs had argued that the geographic targeting order was unlawfully issued without undergoing the notice-and-comment procedures prescribed by federal law and that the rule is arbitrary and capricious under federal law.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Most times, these changes are a result of the over-analysis of some arbitrary KPIs meant to gauge the health and growth of the platform.
    Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The cuts would devastate weather and climate research as weather is becoming more erratic, extreme and costly.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Wall Street has been in an erratic yo-yo pattern since Donald Trump announced, held off, implemented, augmented, and paused worldwide tariffs.
    Lieke ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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