Synonyms of haphazard

haphazard 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd 

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

• random
• scattered
• arbitrary
• erratic
• sporadic
• stray
• slapdash
• accidental
• aimless
• lucky
• casual
• desultory
• contingent
• odd
• hit-or-miss
• irregular
• helter-skelter
• catch-as-catch-can
• chance
• inadvertent
• unplanned
• fortuitous
• unsystematic
• unintentional
• shotgun
• incidental
• unpremeditated
• purposeless
• indiscriminate
• unintended
• unconsidered
• directionless
• disorganized
• scattershot
• spot
• undirected
• chancy
• flukey
• disorderly
• fluky
• unselective
• undiscriminating
• objectless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• systematic
• regular
• orderly
• methodical
• regular
• organized
• continuous
• stable
• steady
• constant
• fixed
• nonrandom
• systematized
• methodic
• established
• arranged
• even
• deliberate
• set
• planned
• purposeful
• conscious
• aware
• thoughtful
• managed
• wilful
• ordered
• willful
• orchestrated

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

• randomly
• haphazardly
• at random
• irregularly
• aimlessly
• erratically
• casually
• willy-nilly
• anyway
• helter-skelter
• desultorily
• hit or miss
• informally
• arbitrarily
• carelessly
• anyhow
• indiscriminately
• capriciously
• whimsically
• unintentionally
• accidentally
• inadvertently
• promiscuously
• anywise
• fortuitously
• unconsciously
• unwittingly
• offhandedly
• unpredictably
• intermittently
• fitfully
• offhand
• disjointedly
• higgledy-piggledy
• disconnectedly
• spottily
• topsy-turvy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• systematically
• orderly
• methodically
• carefully
• formally
• deliberately
• intentionally
• meticulously
• gingerly
• purposely
• purposefully
• punctiliously

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

Recent Examples of haphazard

Adjective

Trump’s weaponization of tariffs is haphazard, and so are his punishing sanctions and trade controls, causing not just a few countries to look for other currency systems. —T. Nelson Thompson, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2025

Democrats have slammed Musk's approach as haphazard and chaotic. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 May 2025

Such haphazard and unbalanced development and the consequent unevenness of available series has produced biases in our historical understanding of sea-level rise, Hardenberg writes. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Additionally, as this week’s stock market slump revealed, haphazard threats do not happen in a vacuum. —Aroop Mukharji, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025

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