HARE-BRAINED Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

harebrained

adjective

ˈher-ˈbrānd

Definition of harebrained

as in goofy

lacking in seriousness or maturity the movie follows the harebrained antics of a pair of stoners who seem incapable of growing up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 harebrained Here are some methods for scraping good music from the data wasteland, organized in a hierarchy from bottom-feeder basics to more sophisticated and ultimately, uhh, harebrained strategies. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025 More harebrained projects follow, and the family’s tilting house finally tumbles after neighbors and acquaintances slowly chip away at the building to repurpose many of the structure’s materials. — Anita Snow, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025 Cuomo staying in the race could make for the most unpredictable, harebrained mayoral election that New York has had since 1977. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for harebrained

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harebrained

Adjective

The opening chase scene is gorgeously animated, the kind of sequence that makes Common Side Effects distinct visual style that is at once both goofy and realistic so mesmerizing to watch.

— Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
That show tackled Bitcoin, viral videos, NSA spying, and the goofy-ass names of 2010s tech startups without being hacky or hammy.

— Meredith Haggerty, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

Soaking the suburbs over parking is reminiscent of other foolish, revenue-grabbing ideas, such as a congestion tax aimed at outsiders as a way to gin up money to cover Chicago’s ever-present budget black hole.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
With Oracle having lost more than $20 billion in stock-market value today, this appears to be penny-wise and pound foolish.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
That scene was always the silliest in the American version, and its absence in the international edition was a wise choice.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
And Saturday’s win proved that his plan to pursue championships — something that seemed absurd amid a lost 2025 season — has a real possibility of paying off with one.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

However, between a two-game injury absence for Gaines and Riley taking it to another gear, the 5-foot-10 running back is now giving Bronco fans giddy memories of 2024 Ashton Jeanty.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
This story of an artificial intelligence in extreme existential crisis is primarily constructed for MCU superfans, the kind who get giddy over Easter eggs and can recite reams of backstory minutiae off the top of their domes.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of giddy

Adjective

First and foremost, as a homeowner myself the property taxes are insane and continue to go up.

— Stephen Korka, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
That may be the name of her next album, but Venus’ insane popularity also speaks to the way Metropia is moving forward, constantly looking for the next shiny thing.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of insane

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“Harebrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harebrained. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of harebrained

adjective

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