Synonym Chooser

How is the word random distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words casual and haphazard are common synonyms of random. While all three words mean "determined by accident rather than design," random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

When is casual a more appropriate choice than random?

While in some cases nearly identical to random, casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

When is it sensible to use haphazard instead of random?

Although the words haphazard and random have much in common, haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of random The filings add that Khodja targeted women at random. Court papers later said Khodja followed another woman down a street at 3:10 a.m. and assaulted her after threatening her with a knife. Michael Loria, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Signing the contract meant putting up a $10,000 bond, reorganizing the timing of his payroll and letting the union comb through his books at random once every three years. Marcela Valdes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 But the phenomenon might not be entirely random, either. Kim Velsey, Curbed, 7 Apr. 2025 Those who fail random tests are required to enter a ‘return to work’ program, which includes passing a drug test to have their license reinstated. Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for random
Recent Examples of Synonyms for random
Adjective
  • Too many leaders seek to lead down by being authoritative, by pushing dictates on people and relentlessly driving forward toward arbitrary goals and deadlines.
    Andrew Deutscher, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The responses, submitted by a fairly arbitrary group of women, range from profound to half-hearted.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The cuts would devastate weather and climate research as weather is becoming more erratic, extreme and costly.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Wall Street has been in an erratic yo-yo pattern since Donald Trump announced, held off, implemented, augmented, and paused worldwide tariffs.
    Lieke ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Through an unlikely friendship with a feisty stray dog, Charlie discovers that family comes in many forms — and that sometimes, wishes do come true.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the stray details that pour in through scopes and headsets, the soldiers are walled off from any clear sense of who or where their enemies are.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, an accidental executor can be the trustee of a revocable trust after the grantor has passed away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What followed was part social experiment, part accidental soul-baring, and slightly more fun than doomscrolling solo.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/random. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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