haphazard 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)hap-ˈha-zərd How to pronounce haphazard (audio)
Definition of haphazardnext
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

haphazard

2 of 2

adverb

as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method shoes were tossed haphazard into the closet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word haphazard distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words casual and random are common synonyms of haphazard. While all three words mean "determined by accident rather than design," haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

When can casual be used instead of haphazard?

Although the words casual and haphazard have much in common, casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

When is random a more appropriate choice than haphazard?

While the synonyms random and haphazard are close in meaning, random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

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 haphazard
Adjective
Communication with employees about the requirement to move to new offices has been haphazard, workers at six agencies said. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 This fencing appeared to have been lifted up and twisted, landing in a mangled and haphazard manner. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Trotsky understood the importance of codes, aliases, and compartmentalization, but within the Fourth International, their application was haphazard—more habit than protection. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 There are rugs that don’t match, random seating arrangements, a haphazard collection of coolers, televisions, wine racks, murals and board games, a tiny stage here, a slightly larger one there. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for haphazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haphazard
  1. random
  2. randomly
  3. scattered
  4. arbitrary
  5. erratic
Adjective
  • Belting out random songs while delivering high-level physical comedy and acting takes skill.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Furthermore, the whiskers are in front, preventing the drone from detecting sideways obstacles like random jagged branches in a forest.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
Adverb
  • The researchers will then randomly choose around 1/3 of people who submitted a lone star tick, another 1/3 of people who submitted a black legged tick and 1/3 of people who submitted a positive alpha-gal tick to the laboratory.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Half will be randomly assigned to take Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, according to a press release issued yesterday.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of randomly
Adjective
  • That rainfall was predicted to arrive in the form of light, scattered showers.
    — Austin Turner, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Security is thin and scattered downtown, and that morning was no different.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of scattered
Adjective
  • The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic's argument that the Department of Defense's ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But labor campaigners said in the statement that their wage demand wasn’t arbitrary.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Has little people skills, lacks self-awareness and can sometimes exhibit erratic behavior.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and xAI’s Elon Musk scrawled their names in erratic cursive.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of erratic

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haphazard
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Cite this Entry

“Haphazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haphazard. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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