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 initiative felt slapdash, and open to divergent interpretations.
—
Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2025
This is a face only Frankenstein's mom would love, put together like a slapdash jigsaw puzzle with the help of an industrial-grade stapler.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Poor defensive zone coverage, slapdash breakouts, all-thumbs execution on the puck, and an increasingly vacant effort led to the B’s seventh loss in eighth games and evaporated any good feeling earned by their win over the Avs.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The album was Some Time in New York City on the cover, but Sometime in New York City on the label, their liner notes, and their letters, a hint of how slapdash the whole project was.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2025
This is a face only Frankenstein's mom would love, put together like a slapdash jigsaw puzzle with the help of an industrial-grade stapler.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Poor defensive zone coverage, slapdash breakouts, all-thumbs execution on the puck, and an increasingly vacant effort led to the B’s seventh loss in eighth games and evaporated any good feeling earned by their win over the Avs.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
The album was Some Time in New York City on the cover, but Sometime in New York City on the label, their liner notes, and their letters, a hint of how slapdash the whole project was.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapdash
Adjective
-
Threema uses a random ID rather than a phone number.—
Jennifer Lutz,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
These simulations weren’t random.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during antigovernment rallies.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of building individual homes on scattered sites, Reclaiming Chicago aims to transform whole neighborhoods at once, sometimes taking over large vacant lots and planting groups of more than 100 affordable homes.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Judges could reason the NCAA interpreting rules to allow pros from some leagues, but not others, is hypocritical and arbitrary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They're arranged in haphazard rows, with Andrew Jackson occupying a prime front spot simply because the owner likes his hair.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Growing long-term wealth isn't about making a few dollars from haphazard investments, but about creating and following a successful, repeatable process.—
,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His performances were erratic and the number of costly errors kept mounting.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
However, in recent years, temperature and weather patterns have been erratic, and winters have become shorter and warmer.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapdash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapdash. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
