Synonyms of willy-nilly

willy-nilly

adverb

ˌwi-lē-ˈni-lē 

as in randomly

without definite aim, direction, rule, or method

they were in a hurry, so they just tossed everything into the room willy-nilly, leaving it to be all sorted out later

Synonyms & Similar Words

• randomly
• haphazardly
• at random
• aimlessly
• haphazard
• casually
• anyway
• erratically
• irregularly
• indiscriminately
• arbitrarily
• carelessly
• anyhow
• informally
• desultorily
• capriciously
• helter-skelter
• hit or miss
• promiscuously
• accidentally
• inadvertently
• anywise
• whimsically
• unwittingly
• unintentionally
• unconsciously
• offhandedly
• unpredictably
• fortuitously
• intermittently
• fitfully
• offhand
• disjointedly
• disconnectedly
• higgledy-piggledy
• spottily
• topsy-turvy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• systematically
• methodically
• carefully
• orderly
• formally
• deliberately
• gingerly
• intentionally
• meticulously
• purposely
• purposefully
• punctiliously

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of willy-nilly

The ban came after a series of high-profile scooter deaths and an alarming number of devices strewn willy-nilly in neighborhoods across the city. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

Because, despite the company’s anthropomorphized desk-lamp logo, these movies aren’t doling out self-awareness to stuff all willy-nilly. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026

Statistics are trotted out judiciously to make a clear statement, rather than thrown at us willy-nilly. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

But don't just toss them in the fridge willy-nilly. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

People have parked willy-nilly on our narrow side streets, blocking turning lanes and entrances. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026

No numbers thrown out willy-nilly. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026

There are now as many games as there are phones; what used to be a feast that everyone devoured together has been divvied up into a gazillion little snacks gobbled down willy-nilly. — Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026

But that doesn’t negate what is already happening in other parts of the economy, where the Administration is intervening willy-nilly, dispensing money and favors, and expanding its reach at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025