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

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

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

Nearly 3.5 million pages were released in January, many riddled with haphazard or incomplete redactions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

In fact, Gowda's collection doesn't have a librarian and books are stacked on shelves and piled on the floor in a haphazard manner.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Four cars had been abandoned at haphazard angles along Hill Street, and one near the intersection of Hill and Ericksen had slid into a parked pickup truck, crumpling the driver’s-side rear panel.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Vocabulary lists containing haphazard

List 3

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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