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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
According to the report, arbitrary detention is not an accident of state power but a systematic strategy — a cornerstone of Venezuela’s repressive apparatus.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The arbitrary nature of torture places the text in the long genealogy of the captivity narrative; if there is a degree of the adventure yarn in the tale, than there is also something of an Arthur Koestler or an Alexander Solzhenitsyn as well.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
The impact of Elon Musk’s arbitrary DOGE cuts is palpable.
—D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Airlines can’t impose arbitrary refund caps based on fare class in that situation.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The arbitrary nature of torture places the text in the long genealogy of the captivity narrative; if there is a degree of the adventure yarn in the tale, than there is also something of an Arthur Koestler or an Alexander Solzhenitsyn as well.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
The impact of Elon Musk’s arbitrary DOGE cuts is palpable.
—D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Airlines can’t impose arbitrary refund caps based on fare class in that situation.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gil, her nemesis, is hot, arrogant and unfortunately extremely kissable.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
No Breaks will invite viewers into the beautiful chaos of everyday life, including work, parenting, friendships, sports and the wonderfully random topics that take over group chats.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of pulling out random strands, Hazan recommends starting at the front and working back toward your crown, sectioning out 10 quarter-inch-wide pieces a quarter of an inch apart.—
Maureen Choi,
Glamour,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Joy speaks at length about growing up in a culturally sophisticated yet oppressive family and holding her artistic temperament in check, before achieving a belated liberation.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The oppressive regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran has kept her away.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The threat for heavy rain in South Florida is diminishing, however typical scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours are still possible in the area through the weekend.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the inaugural festival has quickly gained controversy for its association with Saudi Arabia and the country's authoritarian regime.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Specifically, the four customers argued that Hershey's violated Florida Deceptive And Unfair Trade Practices Act, which is designed to protect Floridians from unfair competition, deceptive acts and unethical practices.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The complaint accuses Dignity Health and the two hospitals of violating multiple laws including California’s Emergency Services Law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and unfair competition law.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Royals’ offense finishes strong The Royals were plagued with an inconsistent offense this season.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
-
But Todibo frustrated Potter with his inconsistent performances and was dropped for the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham two weeks ago over bad timekeeping.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Watch The Lost Daughter on Netflix The King Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the heir to the English throne, wants nothing to do with royal life and is living among commoners when his tyrannical father dies.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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