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
Those have included a wide variety of humanitarian aid programs, grants for institutions conducting medical research across the United States and a spate of haphazard layoffs. Zach Montague, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Both shows just burn through villains in the most haphazard and jarring way, never really allowing for any of them to build up into something truly threatening, let alone interesting enough to carry the mantle of Big Bad. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 That fact was evident not only in the casualties and hostage-taking during the massacre, but in the grinding, brutal, and haphazard war in Gaza that has followed. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025 Trump's attempts to reduce the size of the payroll, often in a manner seen as haphazard, have caused anxiety and alarm. Jonathan Allen, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
Adjective
  • The entertainment space has shown us that, as random as couples may seem, the best thing is to expect the unexpected.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 29 July 2025
  • Training is a disciplined system, not a series of random workouts.
    Ludovic Gaudé, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025
  • Ultimately, Bae acknowledges, these classifications are somewhat arbitrary.
    Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Between unfamiliar foods, erratic routines, and stress, your digestive system ends up overloaded and under-supported.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • But the series has met fan derision, whether over Carrie’s often typically erratic emotional behavior (chiding Miranda for eating her yogurt?
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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