Definition of randomnext

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 But as the bill moved through the House, additional provisions were added including language allowing random inspections of home kitchens by health departments. Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 6 May 2026 Conversations, media, travel experiences or even a random piece of information could completely alter the direction of your life. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 The audit said at least 300 people experienced assaults, ranging from politicians to random people. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 May 2026 So, is this just random chance? Chad Jennings, New York Times, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
  • In that case, most areas will see scattered rain, but the more robust cells could produce brief, heavy downpours.
    Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to Sánchez Blanco, González López oversaw the machinery that allowed arbitrary arrests, torture and the defiance of judicial release orders to occur.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
  • The day itself may be arbitrary, but the sentiment behind it is not.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • By the time officers arrived, the situation had escalated into what officials described as an active shooter incident, with the suspect walking down the middle of Memorial Drive and firing in an erratic manner as traffic came to a halt.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
  • In a video about an erratic Uber driver, a recognizable dynamic—awkward small talk, impatience to set off—escalates into a life-threatening one.
    Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Outraged residents are now demanding that immediate measures be taken to control the stray dog population.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
  • These intimate reflections read like pages taken from private diaries, with all the informality and vulnerability of that genre, including misspellings and stray thoughts.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The sturdy, durable case offers a water-resistant fabric, which is great for accidental coffee spills amid the airport security line.
    Sarah DiMuro, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
  • The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his death to an accidental ketamine overdose and said drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine — used to treat opioid use disorder — were factors.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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