scatterbrained

adjective

ˈska-tər-ˌbrānd How to pronounce scatterbrained (audio)
Definition of scatterbrainednext
as in goofy
lacking in seriousness or maturity a scatterbrained child who couldn't seem to pay attention or stop fooling around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 scatterbrained Susan Blanchard co-starred as Tina Kelly, his scatterbrained housekeeper. — Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 The novel begins on a Monday afternoon like any other at its three adolescent central characters’ loving but scatterbrained aunt Xía’s house in Miami. — Juan Vidal, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, Hudson turns up her ditz-o-meter to 11, twirling and screaming her way through a performance that should remind Hollywood of her singular scatterbrained talents. — Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2022 Trying to stay organized can be a real pain, especially for those of us who may be a bit scatterbrained. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 22 June 2021 President Biden had another dismal week thanks to the accelerating border crisis, the beginnings of his assault on the Second Amendment, Vice President Kamala Harris’s behavior and his scatterbrained performance at a Thursday news conference. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2021 Sadat cast Afghan nonactors to paint a scatterbrained picture of parentless adolescence, and outstanding production design immerses us in this historical remembrance. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2021 Donald Moffat is superb as a president who masks his ferocity with scatterbrained folksiness. — Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatterbrained
  1. goofy
  2. silly
  3. giddy
  4. futile
Adjective
  • If the movie is more goofy than profound, that may be the point.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Haaland was one of the top scorers and most charismatic players at the World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and his imposing stature and goofy sense of humor sparked a wave of creative viral videos and memes.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Residents riding on two wheels in Overland Park might see some new silly signs along the city’s most popular paths and trails.
    — Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • Phan has completed the course twice so far, earning the giddy right to hit a big buzzer at the end.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of giddy
Adjective
  • Stuart Bloom’s futile efforts to right the space-time continuum will continue.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The central legal debate in the last stretch leading up to Mangione’s trial has revolved around who will get to participate in this perhaps futile—though understandable—interpretive exercise.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of futile

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Cite this Entry

“Scatterbrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatterbrained. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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