What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
desultory
Example
The speaker's desultory remarks failed to engage the audience. [desultory: adjective]
Example
He made a desultory attempt at cleaning his room, but quickly gave up. [desultory: adjective]
haphazard
Example
The books on the shelf were arranged in a haphazard manner. [haphazard: adjective]
Example
The project was completed in a haphazard way, with no clear plan or direction. [haphazard: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Haphazard is more commonly used than desultory in everyday language. Haphazard is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while desultory is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between desultory and haphazard?
Both desultory and haphazard are relatively formal words, often used in academic or professional contexts to describe negative qualities or outcomes.
