harebrained

adjective

hare·​brained ˈher-ˈbrānd 

1

: foolish sense 1

2

: absurd, ridiculous

Synonyms of harebrained

• goofy
• silly
• futile
• giddy

Examples of harebrained in a Sentence

the movie follows the harebrained antics of a pair of stoners who seem incapable of growing up

a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite no earthly reason, Gabbard was present last week when the FBI conducted a heavy-handed raid at the Fulton County elections office in Georgia, pursuing a harebrained theory the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Kennedy could have blamed the Eisenhower administration for initiating such a harebrained plan. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026

Leading up to the scene, the ever-hustling Mauser is rushing from one harebrained scheme to another in order to get cash to travel to Tokyo to compete in the world championships for table tennis. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

When his harebrained money-laundering scheme loses millions of the cartel’s cash, Hanson is caught in a web of dangerous debt, absurd criminal mishap and a huge FBI takedown. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for harebrained

• foreordained
• unascertained
• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained
• campaigned
• complained
• constrained
• contained
• curtained
• detained

Kids Definition

harebrained

adjective

hare·​brained -ˈbrānd 

: silly sense 1, giddy