harum-scarum 1 of 2

adjective

ˌher-əm-ˈsker-əm How to pronounce harum-scarum (audio)
Definition of harum-scarumnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

harum-scarum

2 of 2

adverb

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harum-scarum
  1. reckless
  2. frantically
  3. daredevil
  4. wild
  5. daring
  6. wildly
Adjective
  • Donald Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons has been one of obsessive and reckless bombast.
    Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Sargeant was charged with two counts of first degree assault, two counts of first degree reckless endangerment, and several second degree counts for menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
    Stepheny Price, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • Thankfully, after a weekend spent frantically scrubbing her skin, Ryan did manage to remove most of the paint.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Bald and tired, Harley studied frantically from his hospital bed, clinging to schoolwork as a handhold on life.
    Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024
Definition of frantically
Adjective
  • In 1910, a quarter of a million people had spent 10 days swooning over the Los Angeles International Aviation Meet — the nation’s first daredevil airshow.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Planes were first introduced into combat service during World War I, and the pioneering pilots who manned them became masters of the air, deploying daredevil maneuvers to outwit the enemy.
    Kinsey Gidick, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
Definition of daredevil
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
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • The television-programming sea, after all, is full of sharks: How daring can Squid 2 be (or afford to be) without falling into the jaws of preposterousness?
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
  • This project sounds like the most daring one that’s currently in the works, while also being the most likely to enter production soon.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • Hollywood no longer provides admirable masculine ideals; the country’s most recognizable male figure is the one who’s always wildly, unreasonably the focus of controversy.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Bratwurst and beer served in steins became wildly popular.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of wildly
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near harum-scarum

harshness

harum-scarum

harvest

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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