1
as in goofy
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the movie follows the harebrained antics of a pair of stoners who seem incapable of growing up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a harebrained idea to go for a hike in an area where grizzly bear attacks had recently been reported
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of harebrained
In the first season, Lance is Brooke’s loser boyfriend, who is always pitching harebrained ideas for custom sneakers.
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Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 9 June 2023
Only the steeliest of investors would dare become an entrepreneur in this economy; wannabe investors cling on to solid careers rather than risk it all for some harebrained cash grab.
—Robert Stevens, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2022
Climate policy is not some kind of utopian lefty scheme put forward by harebrained hippies; it's meant to deal with a screaming emergency that threatens all humanity, very much including Americans.
—Ryan Cooper, The Week, 11 June 2021
On the wholesome 1990s sitcom, Diamond embodied the ultimate yes-man sidekick who executed preppy Zack Morris’ most harebrained ideas.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for harebrained 
Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 9 June 2023
Only the steeliest of investors would dare become an entrepreneur in this economy; wannabe investors cling on to solid careers rather than risk it all for some harebrained cash grab.
—Robert Stevens, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2022
Climate policy is not some kind of utopian lefty scheme put forward by harebrained hippies; it's meant to deal with a screaming emergency that threatens all humanity, very much including Americans.
—Ryan Cooper, The Week, 11 June 2021
On the wholesome 1990s sitcom, Diamond embodied the ultimate yes-man sidekick who executed preppy Zack Morris’ most harebrained ideas.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for harebrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harebrained
Adjective
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Beetlejuice dabbles in other goofy alternatives such as a matador outfit and an afterlife customs-officer uniform.Emma Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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Put a game with a goofy feel, a corporate dystopia, and complex systems into early access.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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If the young shortstop is truly as good as gone, the Blue Jays would be foolish not to trade him.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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While admirable, the plan to resettle the poor was foolish in retrospect as the Low Country soil is sandy and the weather too hot for farming.Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In a follow-up post, Spears shared a cute video of a young girl telling silly jokes.Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 Jan. 2025
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The silly yet snappy song propelled Mr. Vail, 27, to a new level of internet fame almost overnight.Alyson Krueger, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So ridiculous the referee initially had trouble believing that anyone could be so reckless & stupid.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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And there was no such thing ever as a bad decision or a stupid question.Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There’s desperation in the air, as Dodgers fans blare car horns in futile attempts to get traffic moving.Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
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What to know: Gaetz made a futile last-minute effort in federal court to prevent the release of the report into allegations that have dogged the Florida Republican for years.Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The characterizations are absurd in both concept and performance.Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
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We’re told the feature will delve deeper into themes of identity, technology, and self-perception while retaining the darkly comedic and absurd tone that defined the short.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Other tribes of music-heads danced through dawn on muddy hillsides, barely sleeping or eating through the driving rain, dazed but giddy to take part in a massive, improbable event.Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
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Our mammoth game is the last one, which just has to make the NFL schedule-makers giddy.Chris Branch, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The elaborate choreography and colorful vision match Vincente Minnelli’s style but underneath carry a delirious energy equal to Ken Russell’s maddest visions of neurotic excess.Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
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Everton had many mad weeks under former owner Farhad Moshiri, but this one has rivalled them.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near harebrained
Cite this Entry
“Harebrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harebrained. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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