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An early recorded use of slapdash comes from 17th-century British poet and dramatist John Dryden, who used it as an adverb in his play The Kind Keeper. "Down I put the notes slap-dash," he wrote. The Oxford English Dictionary defines this sense, in part, as "with, or as with, a slap and a dash," perhaps suggesting the notion of an action (such as painting) performed with quick, imprecise movements. The adjective slapdash is familiar today describing something done in a hasty, careless, or haphazard manner.
Examples of slapdash in a Sentence
the police department's investigation of the charges against the mayor was slapdash and not very thorough
Recent Examples on the Web
The immediate gratification demanded by right-wing influencers inevitably conflicts with the level of behind-the-scenes preparation required to bring even the most slapdash case in court.
—
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
To that end, the writer-director, Chandler Levack, establishes an agreeably slapdash attitude of hedonistic adventure, one that’s often intentionally borderline cringe.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
However, Livingstone said a social media ban for teens is a slapdash solution from governments that have failed to properly police tech giants for years.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The attorney general’s slapdash onboarding adds mounting scrutiny over his UF position.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
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Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
To that end, the writer-director, Chandler Levack, establishes an agreeably slapdash attitude of hedonistic adventure, one that’s often intentionally borderline cringe.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
However, Livingstone said a social media ban for teens is a slapdash solution from governments that have failed to properly police tech giants for years.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The attorney general’s slapdash onboarding adds mounting scrutiny over his UF position.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slapdash
Cite this Entry
“Slapdash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slapdash. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
slapdash
adjective
slap·dash
ˈslap-ˌdash 
-ˈdash
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