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
In Nashville, a lot of people work in entertainment, but there are plenty of others who don’t, so Allie started to collect a random assortment of friends.
—
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
The memo instructs creators who sign on to make new social media accounts under usernames that reflect their names or a nickname, avoiding brands, random numbers or anything that looks like spam.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Police say Tyler Brown opened fire on the busy street near the Charles River Monday afternoon, shooting at random at passing drivers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The networking event or random mutual could unexpectedly lead to something exciting.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
The memo instructs creators who sign on to make new social media accounts under usernames that reflect their names or a nickname, avoiding brands, random numbers or anything that looks like spam.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Police say Tyler Brown opened fire on the busy street near the Charles River Monday afternoon, shooting at random at passing drivers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The networking event or random mutual could unexpectedly lead to something exciting.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
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So how do teams turn scattered tactics into a coherent system?—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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The case has become one of the most emblematic examples cited by rights organizations accusing Venezuela’s security apparatus of using arbitrary detention, incommunicado imprisonment and forced disappearances against dissidents and suspected opponents.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
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Her work-from-home job requires her to maintain a minimum internet connection of 65 Mbps in downloads, which is subject to arbitrary testing.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Price Outlook Cotton prices continued to move higher over the past month, but the pattern has become more erratic.—
SJ Guest Editorial,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
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Technology cycles are shorter, markets are more erratic and competition is becoming more worldwide.—
Raheel Sheikh,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Blow or rake any stray clippings back into your yard to be mulched later, or haul them to your compost bin.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
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Allen, 6, was hit by a stray bullet.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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