as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
the police department's investigation of the charges against the mayor was slapdash and not very thorough
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 slapdash
The songs were composed recently enough to address political events from this winter, and the slapdash artwork and YouTube-rip-quality mix suggest the band was too excited to slow down and consult many outside collaborators.
—
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Tuesday’s decision is the latest judicial rebuke of the government’s maneuvering in Abrego Garcia’s case, which has come to symbolize the administration’s hardline — and, at times, slapdash — approach to immigration enforcement.
—Devan Cole, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Their design was unpolished, even primitive, seemingly to convey a sense of slapdash amateurishness.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The initiative felt slapdash, and open to divergent interpretations.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Tuesday’s decision is the latest judicial rebuke of the government’s maneuvering in Abrego Garcia’s case, which has come to symbolize the administration’s hardline — and, at times, slapdash — approach to immigration enforcement.
—Devan Cole, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Their design was unpolished, even primitive, seemingly to convey a sense of slapdash amateurishness.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The initiative felt slapdash, and open to divergent interpretations.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapdash
Adjective
-
Fans who registered for the first drop of tickets but did not receive a time slot and fans who did not buy their maximum 12 general ticket allotment will automatically be entered into the random lottery Drop 2.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Pearce must continue treatment, submit to random drug tests and follow the NFL’s testing protocol.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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 fundamental processes governing brain health — genetics, neural and synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation — do not respect the arbitrary boundaries drawn between neurology and psychiatry.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
-
White-Jacket did cause a stir with its discussion of the arbitrary and cruel use of flogging in the US Navy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rosenior abandoned his haphazard experiment at half-time, bringing on forward Alejandro Garnacho for centre-back Wesley Fofana and reverting to a back four.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Through orchestra, chamber music, and even haphazard improv with friends, music has acted as a bridge to understanding others and continuing to explore and learn with them.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While playing his first full season as a starter last year, Manning looked like an erratic youngster for the first half of 2025, before eventually settling in and playing much better ball down the stretch.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s erratic tariffs, his contempt for NATO, and uneven support for Ukraine’s defense against a Russian invasion have left him fairly alone.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapdash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapdash. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
