Synonym Chooser

How is the word random distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words casual and haphazard are common synonyms of random. While all three words mean "determined by accident rather than design," random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

When is casual a more appropriate choice than random?

While in some cases nearly identical to random, casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

When is it sensible to use haphazard instead of random?

Although the words haphazard and random have much in common, haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

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 random But a random drawing conducted Monday to break that tie among the Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, which all finished the regular season at 48-34, produced these results: No. 18 Grizzlies (to Washington Wizards), No. 19. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025 All individuals who enter the waiting room by 6 p.m. will be put in random order to have equal opportunity to access the applications, according to the program website. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 The remaining episodes feel even more frenzied than the previous ones and introduce random characters, unconvincing love affairs (past and present) and storylines that appear out of nowhere. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025 The researchers acknowledged that there were some limitations to their findings, including the fact that the results were based on a single, easy-to-access resource rather than a random selection. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
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
  • In short, protectionism grants states too much arbitrary power to intervene in the market and thus spawns more platforms for the exchange of political favors.
    JAVIER CORRALES, Foreign Affairs, 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
Adjective
  • The stray dog, named Grey, and his family lived in the fields near the Animal Terra shelter in Moldova, Eastern Europe.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The Israeli military said that soldiers buried the bodies to prevent them from being mangled by stray dogs and coyotes until they could be collected, and that the ambulances were moved to allow the route to be used for civilian evacuations later that day.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, an accidental executor can be the trustee of a revocable trust after the grantor has passed away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What followed was part social experiment, part accidental soul-baring, and slightly more fun than doomscrolling solo.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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