as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
a harum-scarum dash through the crowded terminal to make the flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner
tossed everything harum-scarum from the closet in a desperate attempt to find her shoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harum-scarum
Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Adjective
Years of harum-scarum borrowing and spending combined with economic wallops from the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring interest rates and inflation helped drive up Kenya’s debt to $80 billion.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harum-scarum
Adjective
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Wallen was originally booked on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The country star was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Kelly went next, frantically waving her arms before finishing in a cannonball.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The video shows agents ducking for cover in front of two white vans while quickly shuffling detainees inside the facility, where an ICE agent frantically guided the detainees down a hallway.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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Salazar gets some cool scenes that show the character’s prowess as a daredevil driver, a kickass fighter and an ace shooter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Meanwhile, fresh fillets may be more expensive, whether they’re farm-raised or wild-caught.—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Our first stop is in a wild-looking stretch 200 yards south of the railroad tracks and State Street.—
Paul A. Smith,
Journal Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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After a daring double steal, New York had the bases loaded with one out and Brandon Nimmo at the plate against Ferrer.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The result is the year’s most daring TV performance, rooted in a painful, just barely recognizable humanity.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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In the 42nd minute, having cut inside Niang, Leysen lunged wildly to try and prevent Elanga recovering the ball, but got nowhere near it and conceded a penalty (he was harshly adjudged to have handballed it during the second half for another spot kick, too).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Designer Joe Nahem of the esteemed firm Fox-Nahem was then brought in to merge the two spaces into one wildly creative space that vibrates with color, pattern, and texture.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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