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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of random
Authorities have not publicly released a motive for the shooting, though city officials previously said it was not believed to be a random act of violence.
—
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Police said the attack was random and motivated by anger and frustration the suspect was experiencing at home.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
His presence at Edgar’s now is a little random; apparently Edgar is keen on enlisting young supes like the Gen V squad, perhaps to have people on his side once this is all over.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
The books that get challenged are not random.
—Jacob Crainic, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Police said the attack was random and motivated by anger and frustration the suspect was experiencing at home.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
His presence at Edgar’s now is a little random; apparently Edgar is keen on enlisting young supes like the Gen V squad, perhaps to have people on his side once this is all over.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
The books that get challenged are not random.
—Jacob Crainic, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
-
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Within minutes of leaving town, the pavement twists downward through tight turns and steep grades as the mountain air begins to warm, the vegetation giving way to chaparral and scattered juniper, then to the stark silhouettes of ocotillo and Mojave yucca.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The European Union first sanctioned him in 2008, and imposed parallel sanctions in 2022 over the use of live ammunition, arbitrary detention of protesters and journalists, and the violent suppression of demonstrations.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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But at the meeting, there was an admission that that number was an arbitrary figure.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Roughly 61% say Trump has become more erratic with age, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in February.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Cuomo and other employees were concerned by Fahim’s bizarre and erratic behavior — along with his poor personal hygiene — and unsuccessfully tried to get the leaders of the firm to fire him.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The grieving son of a 78-year-old innocent bystander shot in the Bronx said his father’s death and the recent stray bullet slay of a Brooklyn infant should be a wake-up call to the city.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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While sitting on a bench, enjoying the warm weather in his Mott Haven apartment building's courtyard, Spence was shot and killed by a stray bullet striking him in the stomach, his family said Friday.—
Jennifer Bisram,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gilbert's remains were found in December 2011 -- her death is later ruled as an accidental drowning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The light, water-resistant fabric keeps clothes safe from accidental spills and can bear the hard wear of travel days.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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