1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impulsive
prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions
a capricious woman who changed her mind dozens of times about what color to paint the bathroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of capricious
There’s also a First Amendment claim, and an Administrative Procedure Act claim, which is that the government is acting illegally in an arbitrary and capricious way.
—
Andrea Katz, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Frankfurt’s January investment Frankfurt were among the league’s most capricious teams in the first half of the season.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
California sued, alleging the termination is unlawfully arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleged that the USDA’s actions were arbitrary and capricious and therefore violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Andrea Katz, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Frankfurt’s January investment Frankfurt were among the league’s most capricious teams in the first half of the season.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
California sued, alleging the termination is unlawfully arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleged that the USDA’s actions were arbitrary and capricious and therefore violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
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His Roc Nation entertainment company has partnered with the NFL to produce the Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 2019 and is responsible for the politically volatile but culturally momentous choice to bring Bad Bunny to the stage Sunday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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That also includes the lives of our officers when faced with armed juveniles in volatile situations.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Margot Robbie’s Catherine is whimsical, impulsive and occasionally delusional, a woman intoxicated by her own volatility.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Intuition without reflection can become impulsive.—
Malana VanTyler,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This delay has raised concerns about the safety of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles operating in unpredictable environments.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is ideal for decades of sliding across the ice, because bigger mineral grains are more likely to get plucked out by the ice, leaving holes in the surface that could cause unpredictable behavior.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jenner’s red carpet fashion, however, isn’t always so eccentric.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The film’s eccentric flourishes may sound corny, but the writer-directors Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer ground the premise in a deeply sincere sense of yearning.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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That approach is inconsistent with Texas law and unfair to taxpayers.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Tagovailoa got benched last year because of his inconsistent performance and lack of velocity on his throws.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Studies show annual turnover among nursing assistants can approach 100%, and home care roles see turnover rates of around 75%, reflecting both burnout and unstable hours.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Associated Press reported on February 9 that heavy snowfall and an unstable snowpack were the cause of most of the deaths.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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