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
But Trump’s arbitrary brand of interventionism comes with obvious dangers.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Until now, a significant obstacle has been the lack of a device that could route photons of arbitrary polarization at standard telecommunication wavelengths while simultaneously exhibiting both low signal loss and high fidelity.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Until now, a significant obstacle has been the lack of a device that could route photons of arbitrary polarization at standard telecommunication wavelengths while simultaneously exhibiting both low signal loss and high fidelity.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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She is also banned for life from owning companion animals, is subject to random house visits, and has to pay a $150 fine, as well as restitution of just over $1,000 to the Clermont County Animal Shelter.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
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These patches are selected at random during construction, making each item even more unique and serving as a special tribute to Disney fans’ love of mystery items and pin collecting.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Global organization Human Rights Watch accused the festival of diverting attention away from allegations of the government’s severe repression of free speech and criticized comedians for performing on the behest of an oppressive regime.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The oppressive rule has led to nations cutting off aid, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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By comparison, campaign two felt more scattered and improvisational (befitting a D&D game).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Any employer in a joint-employer relationship can be deemed liable for an unfair labor practice or other unlawful acts.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The athletes asked the state to amend regulations to keep biological males from joining girls’ teams or using female locker rooms, saying the lack of clear rules was unfair and unsafe.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One of the biggest targets of Collier’s ire was perceived inconsistent officiating in the WNBA.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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On top of that, the Dodgers bullpen has been between inconsistent and awful for much of the season.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Fox reclaims the notorious lady-in-waiting from centuries of scandal, revealing a sharp-witted, politically savvy woman caught in the tyrannical court of Henry VIII.—
Phillipa Gregory,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Once stuck in the past, Ji-yeon must use her culinary prowess to stay alive under the notoriously tyrannical rule of King Lee Heon (Hierarchy’s Lee Chae-min).—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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