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

Relevance

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

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
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
  1. reckless
  2. frantically
  3. daredevil
  4. wild
  5. daring
  6. wildly
Adjective
  • This is a reckless budget that uses our children as bargaining chips.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers’ grand prize from the trade deadline was hardly a reckless choice to start Game 1 of the division series.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • Cassity Garduque, 14, waved as her mom in her sailor uniform frantically waved back from the top deck.
    — Julie Watson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Companies went from using AI for the sake of using AI to frantically budgeting its use.
    — Konstantin Klyagin, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of frantically
Adjective
  • Gortner also starred with Lynda Carter in Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976), appeared in the daredevil biopic Viva Knievel!
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Prince Harry went skydiving near Toronto on Friday, but the daredevil move wasn't just for fun.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adverb
  • Two more runs scored in the fourth inning when Ohtani, Pages and Freeman strung together three consecutive two-out singles and Keller wild-pitched a run home.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
  • First, like cucumbers, squash is a wild-growing vegetable that competes for garden space, according to Dilmore.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • After two daring and provocative ready-to-wear shows, Jean Paul Gaultier creative director Duran Lantink took things down a notch this season.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The shoes feature a pointed-toe with a low-cut V-front and a cutout at the center of the vamp, adding another flirty detail to go with the daring pop of red on the sole that is the designer’s signature touch.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • Today a myriad of arts organizations champion wildly diverse missions.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Patel whiffed a shot attempt at the blue line, swinging his stick wildly.
    — Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of wildly

Browse Nearby Words

harshness
harum-scarum
harvest
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harum-scarum. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All