harebrained

adjective

hare·​brained ˈher-ˈbrānd 

1

: foolish sense 1

2

: absurd, ridiculous

Synonyms

• 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

One of Steve’s harebrained schemes involves founding a movie theater speakeasy, for which the film-loving pair decides to pinch the private print at the following week’s engagement. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025

Thereafter, a harebrained surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born! —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025

There’s enough conversational downtime between each phase of their plan to establish the details of their home lives, which involve either overbearing or distant parents, subtly framing their harebrained crypto scheme as an act of rousing teenage rebellion. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

Things got even more harebrained further down the Reddit thread. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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