helter-skelter 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of helter-skelternext
1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed a bill that was pushed through committee in a last-minute helter-skelter burst of legislative activity

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2
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern papers, books, and unopened mail were stacked helter-skelter on the desk

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helter-skelter

2 of 3

adverb

ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər How to pronounce helter-skelter (audio)
1
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner the sheep ran helter-skelter inside their pen when the coyote appeared in their midst

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2
as in randomly
without definite aim, direction, rule, or method goods arranged helter-skelter on the shelves of the variety store

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helter-skelter

3 of 3

noun

as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity in the helter-skelter at the amusement park the child got separated from his parents

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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 helter-skelter
Adjective
The helter-skelter run down the line. — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026 The opening quarter-hour produced a fast but helter-skelter showing. — The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Its regularity and rhythm cut against a helter-skelter modernity that has neither. — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025 On a day when the Valkyries were stuck in neutral, her helter-skelter play-style and willingness to bomb away from deep was one of the team’s few bright spots. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for helter-skelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helter-skelter
  1. hurried
  2. random
  3. frantically
  4. randomly
  5. commotion
  6. rushed
  7. scattered
  8. wildly
Adjective
  • Homemade enchiladas might sound like a laborious weekend project, but with a few clever tricks, this version made with black beans and pumpkin can be whipped up on even the most hurried of work nights.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Dooley emphasized the preliminary nature of the ruling and the hurried nature of the litigation preceding it in a short, 12-page decision.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurried
Adjective
  • Instead of projecting random stars, the Pococo Galaxy Projector uses projection discs to fill the room with gorgeous, sharp images of planets, galaxies and much more.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • After posting a picture on a random rock in the Turkish highlands on Instagram, Salah has transformed the spot into a tourist attraction, with droves of fans making the pilgrimage.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of random
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
Adverb
  • This thermal burst causes nearby atoms to vibrate randomly before the lattice settles down again.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers randomly assigned each wrist to receive a saline hydrodissection procedure, a corticosteroid injection alone, or hydrodissection plus a steroid shot.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of randomly
Noun
  • Christian and Laura Stone had stopped by to see what was causing the commotion after noticing the emergency light while taking their kids to school.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Deep Ellum business owner Barry McCary noticed the commotion and started recording video.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Adjective
  • The teen’s family has said this was a rushed judgment that did not involve a thorough enough investigation.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • The rushed and botched release of Apple Intelligence made clear that Apple's AI strategy wasn't fully fleshed out.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of rushed
Adjective
  • More scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday afternoon.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The scattered pieces of the former storm will likely drift over the Caribbean and soak Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hispaniola with a few inches of rain, some of which will reach Florida.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of scattered
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

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helter-skelter
helter-skelters
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Cite this Entry

“Helter-skelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helter-skelter. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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