helter-skelter 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of helter-skelternext
1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed a bill that was pushed through committee in a last-minute helter-skelter burst of legislative activity

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2
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern papers, books, and unopened mail were stacked helter-skelter on the desk

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helter-skelter

2 of 3

adverb

ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər How to pronounce helter-skelter (audio)
1
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner the sheep ran helter-skelter inside their pen when the coyote appeared in their midst

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2
as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method goods arranged helter-skelter on the shelves of the variety store

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helter-skelter

3 of 3

noun

as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity in the helter-skelter at the amusement park the child got separated from his parents

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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 helter-skelter
Adjective
The helter-skelter run down the line. — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026 The opening quarter-hour produced a fast but helter-skelter showing. — The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Its regularity and rhythm cut against a helter-skelter modernity that has neither. — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025 On a day when the Valkyries were stuck in neutral, her helter-skelter play-style and willingness to bomb away from deep was one of the team’s few bright spots. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for helter-skelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helter-skelter
  1. hurried
  2. random
  3. frantically
  4. randomly
  5. commotion
  6. rushed
  7. scattered
  8. wildly
Adjective
  • Homemade enchiladas might sound like a laborious weekend project, but with a few clever tricks, this version made with black beans and pumpkin can be whipped up on even the most hurried of work nights.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Dooley emphasized the preliminary nature of the ruling and the hurried nature of the litigation preceding it in a short, 12-page decision.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurried
Adjective
  • On the way across the bay, Melanie is attacked by a random seagull, setting up the sinister plot device.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Davis confessed to taking mushrooms, grabbing a gun, and shooting at random people in South Beach.
    — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
Adverb
  • Lawson was then seen frantically messing with the right side of his pants and holding a dark object in his right hand, police said.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As all of this was playing out, hardcore Dylan fans were frantically trying to figure out who was playing guitar on the far side of the stage.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of frantically
Adverb
  • The researchers analyzed 551 female patients across 73 hospitals in China who were randomly assigned to receive either the drug intravenously every three weeks, or the physician’s choice of chemotherapy.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In it, Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo had 24 male college students randomly assigned to play guards or inmates in a mock prison to see how power structures could affect the behavior of ordinary people.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of randomly
Noun
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That allowed passengers to hear the commotion and discover what was happening.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Adjective
  • Critics, including Commissioners Christine King and Damian Pardo, call it a rushed effort that could be paid for with existing tax dollars without asking voters for more.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The teen’s family has said this was a rushed judgment that did not involve a thorough enough investigation.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of rushed
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
Adverb
  • Different generations, different designers, and two wildly different approaches to getting dressed up.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Tom Brady still looks good on the field—not because of his wildly accurate throws, but because of his Rolex.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of wildly

Browse Nearby Words

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helter-skelter
helter-skelters
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Cite this Entry

“Helter-skelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helter-skelter. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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