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Showing results for helter-skelter.
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.

Challambra Hill climb before the final helter-skelter dash to the finish.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

But the momentum of a helter-skelter contest swung yet again when Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added 50 from only 34 balls for the eighth wicket.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

After a helter-skelter first half, they were level at 20-20.

From BBC • May 24, 2025

That helter-skelter transition threw much of the economics of entertainment out of whack.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023

It was a good deal more complicated than the helter-skelter fort.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.