harebrained

adjective

hare·​brained ˈher-ˈbrānd 

1

: foolish sense 1

2

: absurd, ridiculous

Synonyms

• birdbrained
• ditzy
• ditsy
• dizzy
• featherbrained
• flighty
• frivolous
• frothy
• futile
• giddy
• goofy
• light-headed
• light-minded
• puerile
• scatterbrained
• silly
• yeasty

Examples of harebrained in a Sentence

the movie follows the harebrained antics of a pair of stoners who seem incapable of growing up

a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported

Recent Examples on the Web

Reynolds thrived in front of a live studio audience, playing a college-age rascal who was more interested in messing with his friends and pursuing harebrained schemes than deciding on a major. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024

But that scheme is a bit harebrained, because the explosions would also introduce deadly radioactive material into the air. —Sven Bilén, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2024

Khrushchev’s harebrained scheme involved transporting medium- and intermediate-range nuclear missiles by ship to Cuba, while somehow managing to avoid detection by NATO. —Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 16 Nov. 2022

However, there is a certain charm to the harebrained things that got greenlit in the age of Aqua Net and leg warmers. —Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

harebrained

adjective

hare·​brained -ˈbrānd 

: silly sense 1, giddy