haphazard

American  

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

adjective

1. characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by randomness; determined by or dependent on chance; aimless.

   Synonyms:

   helter-skelter, slapdash, careless, unsystematic, disorganized

   Antonyms:

   organized, systematic, methodical

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adverb

1. haphazardly.

noun

1. mere chance; accident.

haphazard British  

/ hæpˈhæzəd /

adverb

1. at random

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adjective

1. careless; slipshod

noun

1. rare chance

Other Word Forms

• haphazardly adverb
• haphazardness noun

Etymology

Origin of haphazard

First recorded in 1565–75; hap ¹ + hazard

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

For now, though, the experience remains haphazard and lacks standardization.

From Barron's

Related Words

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