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
Relevance
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
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
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
-
His reckless decision to escalate the aggression and number of immigration agents is a causal factor, regardless of the outcome of an investigation into this tragic death.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Cowards habitually flee what is painful, while someone who acts bravely because of excessive confidence is simply reckless.—
Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
And the mistakes, such as frantically learning — and failing — at how to build a river.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Free up your team members to actually look at each other and debate ideas instead of frantically taking notes.—
David Henkin,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The daredevil sequence sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) hijack a biplane to chase down the villainous Gabriel (Esai Morales), who's in a biplane of his own.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Dec. 2025
-
With the region offering four seasons of thrills— from hut-to-hut hikes and epic powder days to daredevil road trips—there’s really no bad time to visit.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The Edge Spa, perched on the side of a precipice overlooking Alexander Creek, showcases ingredients grown or wild-harvested on site.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Most of the region's black walnuts are currently wild-foraged and sold by the pound at local hulling centers.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
To try a daring design in a soft way, reach for a soft color palette.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Her exterior is more daring than her two sisterships, with sharp, dynamic lines that run from the pointed bow to the cascading aft.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Song Sung Blue is very much a two-hander, exploring the real-life romantic and professional pairing of Mike and Claire Sardina (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson), entertainers who teamed up to form the wildly popular Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning and Thunder.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Les Baux-de-Provence Built into a rocky outcropping that's part of the Alpilles mountain chain, Les Baux-de-Provence has a rugged and wildly impressive setting.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
