HAREBRAINED Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

harebrained

adjective

ˈher-ˈbrānd

Definition of harebrained

as in goofy

lacking in seriousness or maturity the movie follows the harebrained antics of a pair of stoners who seem incapable of growing up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported

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 harebrained Here are some methods for scraping good music from the data wasteland, organized in a hierarchy from bottom-feeder basics to more sophisticated and ultimately, uhh, harebrained strategies. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025 More harebrained projects follow, and the family’s tilting house finally tumbles after neighbors and acquaintances slowly chip away at the building to repurpose many of the structure’s materials. — Anita Snow, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025 Cuomo staying in the race could make for the most unpredictable, harebrained mayoral election that New York has had since 1977. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 July 2025 One of Steve’s harebrained schemes involves founding a movie theater speakeasy, for which the film-loving pair decides to pinch the private print at the following week’s engagement. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for harebrained

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harebrained

Adjective

The two actors have great chemistry and are goofy and lovable.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
And an extremely catchy German song has gone viral in part because its lyrical refrain sounds goofy to ears used to English.

— Greg Myre, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

Drawing definitive conclusions from pre-season is foolish — but Lacey has shown his close control, pace, and scored an excellent goal in the previous friendly against Rosenborg.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

Every season of Strange New Worlds has featured at least one episode that emphasizes Star Trek’s silly side (and this may not be the last such outing in season four).

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The women are in stupid costumes (Heather Gay is dressed as a leprechaun at one point) and yelling at one another for yet-unknown reasons.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Doors and windows are rendered unopenable by some outside force; attempts to break the glass prove likewise futile.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
The Chargers’ search for an impactful ground game has been futile since Gordon ran for the last of his career high in yards.

— Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

Bailey and Hedges should be giddy about programming PitchCom to account for everything their new battery mate can toss their way.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Most appealing of all are those moments at which McLoughlin turns into an eager chatelaine, not so much dropping names as introducing them to one another, in the hope of a giddy intellectual chemistry.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of giddy

Adjective

However, Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was fined and suspended for five games after last Tuesday’s contest, when two girls sitting courtside in support of Cunnigham said Keaton cursed at them and called them insane.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Continue reading … VIRUS RECKONING — COVID fury explodes as Fauci hearing revives 'insane' lockdown nightmare tales.

— , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of insane

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“Harebrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harebrained. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of harebrained

adjective

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