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.

The pavilions are scattered in seemingly haphazard fashion, in keeping with Mr. Govan’s conviction that visitors should follow their own curiosity and make their own connections without being subjugated to a hierarchy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

You may reasonably conclude this is a haphazard system by which to make such important decisions.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 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

So Matty swept the wooden floor each day and straightened the bedcovers: neatly on the man’s bed, with haphazard indifference on his own, in the room next to the kitchen.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

Vocabulary lists containing haphazard

List 3

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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