as in scattered
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
since we were new in town, our choice of a vet for our dog was entirely random
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 random
The shopper showed off a six-in-one screwdriver, a four-in-one iPhone or Android charger, and a two-in-one salt and pepper grinder, and closed with an offer for other shoppers to share their random favorites.
—
Howard Cohen
march 3, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Mary Lavin has a particular skill in making the casual moment or the random detail pull in energy towards itself, remain true and modest but manage to send out signals.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Officials have not said whether the shooting was targeted or random.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Many live and die convinced that random chance is divine providence.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Howard Cohen
march 3, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Mary Lavin has a particular skill in making the casual moment or the random detail pull in energy towards itself, remain true and modest but manage to send out signals.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Officials have not said whether the shooting was targeted or random.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Many live and die convinced that random chance is divine providence.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
-
And in legislative committees and in debate on Wednesday, sponsors of the new requirement didn’t cite evidence of more than scattered cases in which non-citizens may have voted.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The result is essentially an arbitrary purity test that tightens capital access necessary for creating American jobs and stimulating local economies.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When individuals cross an arbitrary age threshold and are expected to step aside, society signals that relevance has an expiration date.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fierce storms and erratic winds are increasingly common with climate change.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Your periods are particularly heavy or erratic.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The owner of the dog, Kyle Sharp, was hit by a stray bullet during the response.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The piece wouldn't be officially released online for some time, but a stray audience member or two recorded a bootleg of the screen inside the theater and posted it to social media.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That emphasis on independence is not accidental.—
K. H. Koehler,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Bud can’t make a joke to his daughters without accidental gender essentialism.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
