harum-scarum 1 of 2

adjective

ˌher-əm-ˈsker-əm How to pronounce harum-scarum (audio)
Definition of harum-scarumnext
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

harum-scarum

2 of 2

adverb

as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner tossed everything harum-scarum from the closet in a desperate attempt to find her shoes

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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 harum-scarum
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
  1. reckless
  2. frantically
  3. daredevil
  4. wild
  5. daring
  6. wildly
Adjective
  • He was placed under arrest and charged with first-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and interfering with an officer.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • This reckless negligence was palpable at Bagram Air Base, where troops left an ocean of trash in the wake of their messy departure.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • But as their love affair gets steamier and Haru frantically tries to maintain her elaborate ruse, the dance numbers lose their luster.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Despite efforts to frantically re-staff, this is an agency in crisis.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of frantically
Adjective
  • Prince Harry went skydiving near Toronto on Friday, but the daredevil move wasn't just for fun.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In the late nineties and two-thousands, Hsu and his daredevil friends had proudly put their sleepy Silicon Valley city on the map as an unlikely skateboarding capital.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adverb
  • Two more runs scored in the fourth inning when Ohtani, Pages and Freeman strung together three consecutive two-out singles and Keller wild-pitched a run home.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
  • First, like cucumbers, squash is a wild-growing vegetable that competes for garden space, according to Dilmore.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Season 1 was a ratings hit and the second travels further afield to open with a daring operation on the Mont St Michel, with other locations including the Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Montparnasse Tower.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The awards show has long been known for its daring, anything-goes approach to red carpet dressing.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • Day is relieving tension from his long travel day, screaming wildly for his co-worker David.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
  • At best, these robot spectacles are funny or wildly optimistic about technology.
    — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of wildly

Browse Nearby Words

harshness
harum-scarum
harvest
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Cite this Entry

“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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