1
as in arrogant
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
an arbitrary piano teacher who makes all her students do the same exercises over and over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
the order of the names of the 10 semifinalists is entirely arbitrary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others
a nation with no tradition of democracy, only a long history of arbitrary rulers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
In a 69-page ruling, Judge Edward Chen of the Northern District of California characterized the decision of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end TPS for Haiti and Venezuela as capricious, arbitrary and beyond the scope of her authority.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Through rulings of human rights and other courts, it has been well established that determining when a killing has been arbitrary depends on whether the killing occurred in the context of peace or armed conflict.
—Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Fighting over who finishes in second place may seem arbitrary to some, but bragging rights would certainly add fuel to the fire in the rivalry between the NL East rivals.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Limiting arbitrary executive police power and ensuring compliance with civil rights rules (in some cases an expansion of federal power) do not, in fact, pull in different directions — both are about prioritizing constitutional civil and political rights and due process.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Through rulings of human rights and other courts, it has been well established that determining when a killing has been arbitrary depends on whether the killing occurred in the context of peace or armed conflict.
—Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Fighting over who finishes in second place may seem arbitrary to some, but bragging rights would certainly add fuel to the fire in the rivalry between the NL East rivals.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Limiting arbitrary executive police power and ensuring compliance with civil rights rules (in some cases an expansion of federal power) do not, in fact, pull in different directions — both are about prioritizing constitutional civil and political rights and due process.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The agreement says Campbell’s campaign was selected for audit at a random drawing in 2023.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
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The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Its pace is slow — occasionally, but rarely, to its detriment — but this clearly deliberate tempo gives you the chance to shoulder the burdens of its oppressive atmosphere and settle into its many puzzles, which regularly trade logic for personal interpretation, and occasionally just vibes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Aug. 2025
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More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sadly, because of these two, all the sisters were tarred with the same brush, which is most unfair.—
Mimi Pond,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The union argued that Levine Cava’s plan to shift the $28 million expense to the Fire Rescue Department was unfair because that agency is funded solely with a special tax only paid by owners of property located outside of Miami and the other cities that have their own fire departments.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Oliver Glasner cannot be accused of giving out inconsistent messages.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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With Rome's descent under tyrannical rule, Lucius must step into the gladiatorial ring and fight like his father before him for survival.—
James Mercadante,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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