1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of harebrained
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
Things got even more harebrained further down the Reddit thread.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harebrained
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
Things got even more harebrained further down the Reddit thread.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harebrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harebrained
Adjective
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Powell might have been appealing enough to make this goofy premise work if Russ and his alter ego weren’t two of the most obnoxious TV characters in recent memory—and if the show didn’t seem cobbled together from older, better sports comedies.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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Even the goofy Mexican costumes are well-made and pleasant to look at.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This place belongs to the Carver, a deranged butcher who hunts anything foolish enough to enter.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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France had been humiliated in 1871 by Prussia in a foolish war of its own making, and Dreyfus, accused of passing military secrets to the Germans, was a convenient scapegoat in a time of national malaise.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This dance party for toddlers and preschoolers is packed with silly puppets, cheerful songs, and endless smiles!—
Sarah Z. Sleeper,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
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And why that silly jacket in the middle of June?—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The real star of this episode, however, was Gretchen Christine Beauté and her stupid Lara Croft outfit.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Among the colorful cast of rogues, villains, queens and clergymen, Andre The Giant stands out as the young suitor’s kind-hearted but stupid brute.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the job search proved futile, partly due to visa uncertainties and the impacts of the Department of Government Efficiency.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
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Truly, skimping on this step will render everything else futile.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the true spectacle, his essence, is watching Hardy barge to an absurd-but-revealing 485 yards after contact and what that’s creating.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
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This remake is most curious for the contrast—Cervantes’ novel is thought to be the first realist piece of literature, where Rushdie’s update is decidedly absurd.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While the film is filled with incredible gay kisses, my personal favorite remains when Ennis and Jack reunite for the first time; there’s nothing giddier than the full-body passion that overtakes you after being reunited with your long-distance true love after months — or years — or longing.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
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Both actors do very well at building their secret courtship, which is at first playful and giddy, and later intense, desperate and even violent.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The first game famously took thirst-trap renditions of the Greek pantheon and imbued each figure with an insane amount of charm.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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Starting the competition off with a bang with the cape and then moving right into killing the athleisure [challenge] was just insane.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harebrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harebrained. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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