RANDOM Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

random

adjective

ˈran-dəm

Definition of random next

as in scattered

lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern since we were new in town, our choice of a vet for our dog was entirely random

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 research drew from individual death certificates from 1989 through 1991 and from 2017 through 2019, and calculated three-year averages for each set of years to reduce random variations in death rates. —

Maya Goldman, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025 The statistical formula for a poll's margin of error — a number that pollsters (usually) release that tells us how much their poll could be off due to random sampling error alone — uses a square-root function, so our weighting does, too. —

G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025 The auto mode moves throughout your home in a random pattern for an all-over clean, while the zig-zag option moves back and forth to ensure no areas are missed. —

Shea Simmons, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Go and read random slave narratives and get their experience of the time. —

David Marchese, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for random

Recent Examples of Synonyms for random

Adjective

Right-wing people choosing to pick on LGBTQ folks was almost arbitrary.

— Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
The energy is used not to create goods or services but to solve arbitrary puzzles that sustain speculative networks.

— Eric Solis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025