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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arbitrary
Like all things, the natural hair lifestyle can succumb to the vacuum of limiting beliefs, arbitrary parameters, and new standards of success.
—
Cierra Black, Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
Proposals to provide striking workers with unemployment benefits and set arbitrary regulations for warehouse workers threaten Connecticut’s economic future.
—Frank Ricci, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arbitrary 
Cierra Black, Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
Proposals to provide striking workers with unemployment benefits and set arbitrary regulations for warehouse workers threaten Connecticut’s economic future.
—Frank Ricci, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
The Inside Llewyn Davis star plays Victor Frankenstein, the arrogant scientist who successfully creates life out of an assemblage of deceased body parts.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
30 Jan. 2025
-
An arrogant advertiser at the peak of success is forced to promote a tycoon as a presidential candidate, while a mysterious stalker threatens to destroy his agency and his reputation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The robot learns in a virtual environment, earning higher scores for better stacking performance with random items.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
30 Jan. 2025
-
On a random note: Long before those assignments, Chuck was pepper-sprayed covering the disturbances in Miami the morning Elián Gonzalez was whisked away by federal authorities.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
That, plus an economic system and society that abide by inadequate low-income wages, lack of national health care, oppressive housing and rent practices, and more.—
Kevin Fagan,
TIME,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The Assad dynasty’s autocratic rule in Syria was marked by decades of fighting, bloodshed and oppressive political crackdown.—
Eyad Kourdi,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Serbia’s authoritarian leader should be riding high, lifted by economic growth that is four times the European average, falling unemployment and steadily rising wages.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Amid the authoritarian typhoon of Donald Trump’s first month in office, the Democratic Party is attempting to position itself as the front line of anti-MAGA resistance.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The unfair playing field must remain protected and its utility exists only for particular groups.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Musk's email was unpopular with some Twitter staffers, including one employee based in Ireland who won a $600,000 court battle when the Irish Workplace Relations Commission agreed his termination for not clicking yes on the email was unfair.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Especially if his team is still so maddeningly inconsistent.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Although Mitchell's overall output has been inconsistent in recent seasons, his defensive versatility has remained a major strength.—
Nathan Kamal,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The forthcoming Sunrise on the Reaping follows Collins' fourth book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which explored the early world of Coriolanus Snow — who later went on to become the infamous, tyrannical president of Panem.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
-
King Saran Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) will portray the tyrannical king who is also Amari and Inan's father.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In response to Kelley calling the union demands unreasonable, Lacey said the president's comments were insulting.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The share of frisks and fuller searches complying with the ruling — and the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures — were lower than the stop numbers.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to arbitrary
Thesaurus Entries Near arbitrary
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share