haphazard 1 of 2

haphazard

2 of 2

adverb

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

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 haphazard
Adjective
The seemingly haphazard composition of the list – and the potentially enormous financial implications – raised immediate concerns in the academic community. Helen Coster and Julia Harte, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Along with haphazard tariff moves, comments from the administration in recent days has stoked investors’ fears about the economy. Lisa Kailai Han,sean Conlon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025 Once the heart of a massive, 15,000-acre property owned in the 19th century by a man named Nicolas Den, it had been parceled out in a haphazard way over the years and then partially reassembled, leaving Himovitz with a piece of land whose shape resembles an upside-down boot. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 The collections have felt too laden with merch, too bloated with haphazard ideas. Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
Adjective
  • Mother Nature is unpredictable, fickle, random at best.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Even the title feels random: Keiji once bought Fuki a print of Auguste Renoir’s portrait of a child called Irene.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • These bills would formalize what the Parole Board should already be doing and therefore limit arbitrary rejections.
    Julia Salazar, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The president’s erratic policies are raising concerns the economy might be headed for a downturn, but history suggests that franchise values will continue to climb regardless.
    Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Working with the brilliant but erratic Bart Eckland, Susan was a young biologist stationed far in the Panamanian rainforest years ago at Los Panos.
    Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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