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
Relevance
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
Winning is difficult, especially in a sport as capricious as hockey.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Musicians have long suffered in silence at the capricious whims of Wikipedia editors.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026
The detention centers, possibly re-education centers, operated in total secrecy for capricious punishments.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Vargas, an appointee of former President Biden, agreed with New York and New Jersey that the freeze likely runs afoul of federal regulation and is arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Musicians have long suffered in silence at the capricious whims of Wikipedia editors.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026
The detention centers, possibly re-education centers, operated in total secrecy for capricious punishments.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Vargas, an appointee of former President Biden, agreed with New York and New Jersey that the freeze likely runs afoul of federal regulation and is arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
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The comparison isn't perfect — stock data spans decades, while trends in trading card values are shorter and more volatile — but the outperformance in certain windows is still striking.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
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These volatile, double-digit voting shifts directly contrast more stable voting patterns among other major demographic groups, including the Black and white electorates, where shifts from cycle to cycle tend to be just a few points.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Symptoms include short-term memory loss, anxiety, and impulsive behaviour.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Soon after, Mercury will collide with Mars, increasing the likelihood of heated debates and impulsive reactions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Air travelers are paying the price of the shutdown with unpredictable, snaking TSA lines at airports across the country, jeopardizing their chances to pass through security on time for their flights.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Jungle Room, for the uninitiated, is a famously eccentric den at Graceland known for its green shag carpet, Polynesian furniture and indoor waterfall.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Jungle Room is a famously eccentric den at the Graceland mansion, known for its green shag carpet, Polynesian furniture and indoor waterfall.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 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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The veteran forward spent the previous 3 1/2 seasons with the Ducks, but struggled to produce during inconsistent playing time from Quenneville before his departure at the deadline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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After an inconsistent season as a pitcher last spring, Gluting is ready to break out in that aspect of the game as well.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Geopolitically, the world seems to be getting more unstable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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How geopolitical risk remains a wildcard Gold has long been considered a safe-haven investment to turn to when the world feels unstable, but recent months have shown that relationship isn't always so simple.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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