as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
the vagaries of a rather eccentric, elderly lady
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 vagary
The person sitting next to me that day was my flat-mate, Alicia Stallings, who, by one the vagaries of history, is now the current professor of poetry at Oxford.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Anyone who has watched Survivor knows vagaries are the enemy of success, and ultimately the ringleader of Glam, Ciara, still goes down this week.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
That’s your choice to prioritize more dependable success over bragging rights for coaxing a half dead super-choice plant through the vagaries of a yo-yo bit of winter.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Clark pulls these plot tendrils into a cohesive story that delves deep into police investigations and the vagaries of Chicago.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vagary
Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Anyone who has watched Survivor knows vagaries are the enemy of success, and ultimately the ringleader of Glam, Ciara, still goes down this week.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
That’s your choice to prioritize more dependable success over bragging rights for coaxing a half dead super-choice plant through the vagaries of a yo-yo bit of winter.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Clark pulls these plot tendrils into a cohesive story that delves deep into police investigations and the vagaries of Chicago.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vagary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vagary
whim
Noun
-
And few issues provide more difficulties in implementing his changing whims than a war in the Middle East.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Every deportation should be based on immigration law, not the whims of ICE nor those of the president.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vagary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vagary. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
