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
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 capricious
The lawsuit, filed by the legal group Democracy Forward on behalf of unions representing more than 800,000 civil servants, alleges that the Trump administration's resignation offer is arbitrary and capricious as well as unlawful.
—
Andrea Hsu, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
In Poland, the capricious degrees and forms of oppression, reflecting Stalin’s murderous personality, fostered a vacillating, self-deceptive kind of surrender by the captive mind, imprisoned not by bars or walls but by its own failures of conviction.
—Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Moreover, as fewer people are sentenced to death and executed each year — most of them in a shrinking number of states — the death penalty system looks ever more arbitrary and capricious.
—Austin Sarat, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025
Flashback: The recent arbitrary and capricious finding was not the first time a court labeled an SEC decision that way.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Andrea Hsu, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
In Poland, the capricious degrees and forms of oppression, reflecting Stalin’s murderous personality, fostered a vacillating, self-deceptive kind of surrender by the captive mind, imprisoned not by bars or walls but by its own failures of conviction.
—Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Moreover, as fewer people are sentenced to death and executed each year — most of them in a shrinking number of states — the death penalty system looks ever more arbitrary and capricious.
—Austin Sarat, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025
Flashback: The recent arbitrary and capricious finding was not the first time a court labeled an SEC decision that way.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
-
Hence, despite its extremely high valuation, the stock appears attractive but volatile, which supports our conclusion that AVGO is a tricky stock to buy.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Wall Street ultimately found the business too volatile and debt-heavy to get fully behind the stock.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States under the chaotic, impulsive leadership of President Donald Trump is abandoning its longstanding alliances with fellow democracies in favor of, at best, strategic ambivalence.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
These are not the actions of a responsible superpower, but rather the impulsive demands of a declining hegemon that has lost its way.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Fires are unpredictable, dangerous, and fast-moving, and every second counts.—
Andrew Ansbro,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
-
And then there’s the appeals process itself, which remains one of the most unpredictable spectacles in the sport.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After an exciting night at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, the Wicked star opted for a late-night indulgence in an eccentric black dress, heading to Raising Cane's for some classic comfort food, as seen in a photo that was shared to the famous chain's Instagram.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The character is both eccentric and not exactly honest in his quest to reunite with his estranged, now adult children in the film.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
In contrast, private sector benefits can be inconsistent.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that McMullen’s conduct was unrelated to the business but was found to be inconsistent with its ethics policy.—
Michelle Chapman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Countries like Canada, Portugal, and Australia offer alternative investor visa programs with clear, consistent rules, which would be made more attractive if the U.S. appears unpredictable or politically unstable.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Its secret to staying afloat in an unstable industry in the ever-evolving city of Raleigh is willingness to lean into change.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to capricious
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share