Definitions

haphazard

[hap-haz-erd, hap-haz-erd] / hæpˈhæz ərd, ˈhæpˌhæz ərd /

ADJECTIVE

without plan or organization

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aimless arbitrary careless casual desultory disorganized erratic half-assed helter-skelter indiscriminate offhand random slapdash uncoordinated

WEAK

accidental all over the map any old way any which way chance designless devil-may-care disorderly hit-or-miss incidental irregular loose purposeless reckless slipshod spontaneous sudden unconcerned unconscious unconsidered unexpected unmethodical unorganized unpremeditated unsystematic unthinking willy-nilly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careful definite deliberate methodical painstaking particular planned specific systematic

WEAK

designed intentional organized straight thought-out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And here, Orsolya’s sincere if haphazard search for understanding, visible in every fiber of Tompa’s affecting central performance, cleverly lets Jude expose the insufficiency in quick fixes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Trailing 7-6 going into the final end, they were without the hammer and looked set to suffer a decisive defeat after a haphazard performance.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

For many years, surveillance and censorship were haphazard and unevenly enforced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

What they’ve done is all these haphazard redactions, redacting a bunch of things they’re not supposed to redact.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

Bacon pointed out that the discoveries which were transforming his world—the compass, the printing press, gunpowder, the New World—had been generated in a haphazard fashion.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing haphazard

List 3

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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Touching Spirit Bear

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