haphazard 1 of 2

Definition of haphazardnext

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
Our policy must be thoughtful — not haphazard and chaotic. Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026 Everything was haphazard, down to the final play of regulation at the United Center. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026 Our policy must be thoughtful – not haphazard and chaotic. Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026 The rooms Due to the building’s haphazard original layout, no two of the 14 bedrooms are the same. Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
Adjective
  • Police have started planning for next year’s New Year’s events, including traffic control and celebratory random gunfire, Comeaux said.
    Timia Cobb Breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Powering through the memory shortage Memory costs — primarily referring to DRAM, or dynamic random access memory used for temporary, short-term semiconductor memory and NAND used for long-term storage — have soared over the past year due to rising compute needs from AI data centers.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • This is the first evidence that this quark-gluon plasma reacts to particles speeding through it in the same way that liquid does, splashing and rippling, acting as a single unified liquid rather than randomly scattering as individual particles would.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • After being randomly split into two groups, they are tasked with creating a dessert that is centered around flavor profiles that test one of the four tastes—sweet, salty, sour, or bitter—combined with a specific texture.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • His scattered family, like so many others, reflects the extraordinary exodus of almost 8 million Venezuelans — regarded as the largest-ever displacement of people in the Americas.
    Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • More scattered sleet, snow and ice are expected for the afternoon, before widespread precipitation is predicted to return Saturday night.
    Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The memorandum filed Monday argues the court should not adopt the deferential standard of arbitrary or capricious.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The judge also said the administration’s decision had been arbitrary and capricious, given its failure to consider Vineyard Wind’s interest in having the project continue on its schedule to a March completion.
    Mark Chediak, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Engram’s impact at TE1 was erratic, though, to put it kindly.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Even for a politician known for erratic policy shifts, this swap—of longtime democratic partners that have sacrificed much for America’s benefit in exchange for an authoritarian regime intent on undermining it—is bizarre.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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