as in half-baked
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Recent Examples of half-cocked
His paranoia, played with clumsy charm by a mustachioed and bleary-eyed Leonardo DiCaprio, is half-cocked and somewhat comical.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
That cycle has lasted decades, a past strewn with half-cocked plans, bankruptcies, struggling businesses, recriminations, and a neighborhood that refuses to give up on itself or surrender its personality.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 May 2025
And yet, all of a sudden, there was the commotion typical of when a manager walks into a room deep in a stadium as reporters rush to put their phones on the desk and stumble awkwardly, laptops half-cocked, back to their seats.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The way reason permeated the front offices has bled onto the field, and the players are more reasonable, more rational and not likely to go off half-cocked.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2024
David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
That cycle has lasted decades, a past strewn with half-cocked plans, bankruptcies, struggling businesses, recriminations, and a neighborhood that refuses to give up on itself or surrender its personality.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 May 2025
And yet, all of a sudden, there was the commotion typical of when a manager walks into a room deep in a stadium as reporters rush to put their phones on the desk and stumble awkwardly, laptops half-cocked, back to their seats.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The way reason permeated the front offices has bled onto the field, and the players are more reasonable, more rational and not likely to go off half-cocked.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-cocked
Adjective
-
Beyond that, the software experience feels half-baked, and not fully tailored for this new hardware type.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
-
In 2017, Bonta was a principal coauthor of Senate Bill 562, a ridiculous, half-baked proposal to establish single-payer healthcare in California.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, reconciliation was often ill-advised, especially if offenders had not expressed remorse or commitment to any type of meaningful change.—
Richard Balkin,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
-
After a few run-ins like this, Scott even invites him to one of his games (an ill-advised — but in this case successful — attempt to win over a gay guy).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The Pentagon contractor, Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, was arrested earlier this month on a charge of unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
State officials now say property management worked with federal agents, alleging the building was housing unauthorized Venezuelan immigrants, to intimidate and push out Black and Hispanic tenants.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Long afternoons and spontaneous plans unfold on patios and in parks across the city.—
Julia Viele,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Wilde explained that the film had many influences, including Mike Nichols and Nora Ephron, but the collaborative writing process and spontaneous shoot was partially inspired by the films of John Cassavetes.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are many thoughtful touches—a handmade olive wood marquetry backgammon set by Greek company Manopoulos, a full shoe cleaning set, large format Ortigia toiletries plus instinctive and easy to use lighting, shower controls and curtain systems.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
With his deep roots in music and an instinctive grasp of culture, Pharrell Williams has often leaned toward a streetwear-forward sensibility, but this collection struck a careful balance.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Half-cocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-cocked. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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