haphazard 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd How to pronounce haphazard (audio)
Definition of haphazardnext
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

haphazard

2 of 2

adverb

as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method shoes were tossed haphazard into the closet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
However, industry leaders caution against haphazard AI adoption, emphasizing that strategic, disciplined implementation is crucial to avoid significant financial pitfalls. — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Communication with employees about the requirement to move to new offices has been haphazard, workers at six agencies said. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 This fencing appeared to have been lifted up and twisted, landing in a mangled and haphazard manner. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Trotsky understood the importance of codes, aliases, and compartmentalization, but within the Fourth International, their application was haphazard—more habit than protection. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
  1. random
  2. randomly
  3. scattered
  4. arbitrary
  5. erratic
Adjective
  • The audit, released Monday, identified a host of issues, including regulators’ failure to meet regular inspection schedules or to conduct sufficient random checks at dispensaries for contaminated products.
    — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There is nothing truly random about whether a coin comes up heads or tails.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
Adverb
  • The lottery said scratch-off tickets are distributed randomly, so neither the lottery nor retailers know where winning tickets will be sold until a prize is claimed.
    — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Matos is wanted in the fatal shooting of Chrys Carvajal, a 19-year-old National Guardsman who is believed to have been randomly gunned down over the Fourth of July weekend in 2021, the FBI said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of randomly
Adjective
  • That rainfall was predicted to arrive in the form of light, scattered showers.
    — Austin Turner, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Security is thin and scattered downtown, and that morning was no different.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found al-Faraj’s detention arbitrary, according to a report published in December 2024.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Someone set the arbitrary number at ten, and the whole point of the exercise is to whittle the list down to ten.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Multiple companies now offer products that promise to spot the difference, with often contradictory, biased or erratic results.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The 2018 tailspin had followed a massive momentum crescendo and reversal several months earlier, which gave way to an erratic tape that couldn't absorb what seemed at the time relatively unthreatening Federal Reserve tightening actions.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of erratic

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haphazard
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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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