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Definitions

helter-skelter

[hel-ter-skel-ter] / ˈhɛl tərˈskɛl tər /
ADJECTIVE
with undue hurry and confusion
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chaotic haphazard hurried
WEAK
arbitrary carelessly confused disorderly hastily hit or miss hurry-scurry in disorder random recklessly slapdash
Antonyms
STRONGEST
organized systematic
ADVERB
carelessly, confused
Synonyms
STRONGEST
haphazard headlong jumbled
WEAK
about any which way anyhow anywise around at random cluttered disorderly hastily higgledy-piggledy hit-or-miss hotfoot hurriedly impetuously in confusion incautiously incontinently irregular muddled pell-mell random randomly rashly recklessly topsy-turvy tumultuously unmindfully wildly
Antonyms
WEAK
carefully methodical organized straight systematic

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.

Helter-skelter around them, on racks with wheels, stood large paintings of oceans and beaches, rivers and meadows, mountains and forests, some covered with corroded ravines of lead.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2020

Helter-skelter is a decent description of the force from which economists believe ideas emerge.

From New York Times • Sep. 5, 2019

Helter-skelter population growth along some rivers and the mushrooming of commercial construction at the edge of floodplains are putting thousands of people in disaster's path.

From Time Magazine Archive

Helter-skelter we pour forth our unaimed words merely for our personal relief, heedless whether they help or hinder him whom they still purport to address.

From The Teacher Essays and Addresses on Education by Palmer, Alice Freeman

Helter-skelter the crowd darted from the house forcing Sally Salisbury with them whether she would or not.

From Madame Flirt A Romance of 'The Beggar's Opera' by Pearce, Charles Edward

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