as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
a harum-scarum dash through the crowded terminal to make the flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner
tossed everything harum-scarum from the closet in a desperate attempt to find her shoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 harum-scarum
Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Adjective
Years of harum-scarum borrowing and spending combined with economic wallops from the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring interest rates and inflation helped drive up Kenya’s debt to $80 billion.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harum-scarum
Adjective
-
Alleged stabber Larry Boards is facing two counts of felony assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment for the crazed confrontation at the 82nd St.-Jackson Heights No. 7 train station at about 4:15 p.m. Friday, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
-
Broadly, the search warrant describes the crimes as first-degree intentional homicide and reckless endangering of safety by use of a deadly weapon.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
10 July 2025
Adverb
-
As such, frantically searching for the best stretch-mark creams for pregnancy is a rite of passage for many mothers-to-be.—
Erin Bunch,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
-
Like any worried parent, Green said his mom was frantically checking his location at all times of the day — even with a nine-hour time difference.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Colerain Township native and daredevil photographer Isaac Wright was arrested May 15 at the end of his first solo gallery exhibition in New York City, his lawyer said.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
But continuity has always seemed an optional buy-in with M:I. A taste for elaborate, foolhardy, daredevil stunts is the only real prerequisite.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
Adverb
-
All of it wild-caught.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
orlandosentinel.com,
14 Aug. 2020
-
Our first stop is in a wild-looking stretch 200 yards south of the railroad tracks and State Street.—
Paul A. Smith,
Journal Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Not long before the end, the daring writer-director introduces an idea that should have been established from the jump: As a child, Seti struggled with a speech impediment.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
11 July 2025
-
This also pushed Kubi to be more daring as a designer and explore new techniques.—
Ezreen Benissan,
Essence,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
Tyler Perry may be best known for creating and starring in the wildly popular Madea franchise, but his impact on Hollywood stretches far beyond the wig and glasses.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
-
The range of TVs included in the promotion includes everything from LG’s wildly popular G5 and C5 OLED TV series through to its latest QNED LCD TVs and even its esoteric 77-inch T4 transparent OLED model.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share