harebrained

or hair·brained

[ hair-breynd ]

adjective

1. giddy; reckless.

   Synonyms: dimwitted, scatterbrained, half-baked, rattlebrained

harebrained

/ ˈhɛəˌbreɪnd /

adjective

1. rash, foolish, or badly thought out

   harebrained schemes

Other Words From

• harebrainedly adverb
• harebrainedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of harebrained¹

First recorded in 1545–55; hare + brained

Example Sentences

That’s why we see two fiercely opposed candidates rushing to agree on this harebrained scheme.

From Los Angeles Times

Constrained by work and family, Mr. McDonnell took more than three years to carry out what he described as his “harebrained” idea.

From New York Times

The move, which was the first of many harebrained strategies cooked up by Giuliani and Trump without input from people who know better, came as a complete surprise to his staff.

From Salon

As it happened, this scheme turned out to be even more harebrained than was evident at face value.

From New York Times

He put together a harebrained scheme to kidnap President Lincoln, take him to Richmond, and hold him as a hostage for the Confederacy, in an effort to help win the war for the South.

From Literature