1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
a bill that was pushed through committee in a last-minute helter-skelter burst of legislative activity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
papers, books, and unopened mail were stacked helter-skelter on the desk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner
the sheep ran helter-skelter inside their pen when the coyote appeared in their midst
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2
as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
goods arranged helter-skelter on the shelves of the variety store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
in the helter-skelter at the amusement park the child got separated from his parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of helter-skelter
Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
The opening quarter-hour produced a fast but helter-skelter showing.
—The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023
After a helter-skelter start, Mr. Vovk and his top managers reorganized.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2023
Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the helter-skelter brickwork of Chiang Mai's crumbling temples, their façades feature masonry laid in intricate motifs and wooden lattices that create beautiful shadowy patterns when the sun hits.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Amazon may not be worth as much as Anthropic soon because one is focused and the other is helter-skelter.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
And, with seven defensive backs plus linebacker Tremaine Edmunds protecting the end zone, Jarrett found himself in the middle of a helter-skelter three-man rush.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Its regularity and rhythm cut against a helter-skelter modernity that has neither.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
On a day when the Valkyries were stuck in neutral, her helter-skelter play-style and willingness to bomb away from deep was one of the team’s few bright spots.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
His mouth is closed and fixed in a humorless grin, concealing the eating machine within eight rows of long, hollow teeth arranged helter-skelter in each rank like thorns on a dead rose.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
California continued the helter-skelter Challenger weekend, topping Nashville in a DB 22-20.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
The helter-skelter run down the line.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
The opening quarter-hour produced a fast but helter-skelter showing.
—The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023
After a helter-skelter start, Mr. Vovk and his top managers reorganized.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Stantis’ drawing shows Jesus hanging on a cross with oversized bombs and mortar shells flying helter-skelter in the air.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the helter-skelter brickwork of Chiang Mai's crumbling temples, their façades feature masonry laid in intricate motifs and wooden lattices that create beautiful shadowy patterns when the sun hits.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Amazon may not be worth as much as Anthropic soon because one is focused and the other is helter-skelter.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
And, with seven defensive backs plus linebacker Tremaine Edmunds protecting the end zone, Jarrett found himself in the middle of a helter-skelter three-man rush.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Its regularity and rhythm cut against a helter-skelter modernity that has neither.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
On a day when the Valkyries were stuck in neutral, her helter-skelter play-style and willingness to bomb away from deep was one of the team’s few bright spots.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
His mouth is closed and fixed in a humorless grin, concealing the eating machine within eight rows of long, hollow teeth arranged helter-skelter in each rank like thorns on a dead rose.
—Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
California continued the helter-skelter Challenger weekend, topping Nashville in a DB 22-20.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helter-skelter
Adjective
-
In addition, the hurried evaluation and adoption of this proposal, which became public less than a week ago, is unnecessary.—
Jeff Kottkamp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
-
Galena’s Historic District was ranked 66 for its relaxed environment and disconnection from the modern hurried atmosphere, according to the publication.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
An offshoot of the popular podcast that actor-comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang have hosted since 2016, the award show aims to celebrate the year’s biggest pop culture moments and plays like a fever dream more dazzling and deliciously random than a late-night scroll session on TikTok.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
These aren’t random acquisitions.—
Ivan Guzenko,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
For the sequence when Carol frantically drives away from the hospital, Adams designed a new system with an LED screen that went on front of the truck with a cap on top, so all the light when Carol is driving comes exclusively from the LED screen.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
4 June 2026
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As avid basketball fans frantically search for highly coveted tickets to the post-season matchup, prices have skyrocketed to attend in person, ranging from courtside at over $42,000 to the cheapest nosebleeds at just under $1,000.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Break whole graham crackers into bite-size pieces; press pieces randomly into ice cream and marshmallow creme in pan.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Then there was silence, followed by sounds of a commotion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
While most of those visitors are coming with good intentions, there’s always the possibility that bad actors will take advantage of the crowds and commotion to cause damage and inflict harm.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There will be some scattered rain in cabin country up north Wednesday, but everyone else will see plenty of sun with heat but low humidity.—
Mike Augustyniak,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
Barely 24 hours later, with Tech down 1-0 in the series but clinging to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, shortstop Hailey Toney fielded a sharp grounder to her right, pivoted to make the easy throw to third base to get out of the inning — and missed wildly.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Just 20 miles north of Sioux Falls, a quick detour off I-90 leads to a landscape that feels wildly out of place—in the best way.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helter-skelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helter-skelter. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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