Synonym Chooser

How is the word random distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words casual and haphazard are common synonyms of random. While all three words mean "determined by accident rather than design," random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

When is casual a more appropriate choice than random?

While in some cases nearly identical to random, casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

When is it sensible to use haphazard instead of random?

Although the words haphazard and random have much in common, haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

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 random Although Jill worked closely with local authorities and the high school, all the parties struggled to find the perpetrator because the texts were coming from random numbers that were generated by an app. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 The choice to use Petit Manseng wasn’t random. Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 And my phone absolutely blew up with just random people who were connected in hockey, not connected in hockey that just said fantastic things about Fraser. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025 After that, random episodes from various seasons are set to air. Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
  • The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
  • More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • If senior figures display rudeness or disrespect, employees may assume that such behavior is acceptable, making selective enforcement seem arbitrary and undermining of trust.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, Burroughs further held that the administration’s actions were arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Between February and May, when Dudek’s tenure ended, his erratic rhetoric and decisions routinely made front-page news.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Dyrdhal knew all too well Gooden’s penchant for erratic violence.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But before Wednesday, only four incidents had occurred in Poland during the war, with Romanian and Moldova most affected, although stray drones were detected in Latvia in September 2024 and fellow NATO members Lithuania and Estonia in July and August this year, ACLED said.
    Brendan Cole John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Department Director Annette Jose said the attack does not appear to have been done by a stray dog.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Police determined the injury was accidental and not child abuse.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The sound does much of the work in action sequences obscured by blinding snowstorms and flashing emergency lights, punctuated by creative acts of accidental self-harm that save our protagonists from certain death more than once.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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