at the whim of (someone)
idiom
: when (someone) wishes, desires, or decides something often in a sudden way
The shop is only open at the whim of the owner.
Examples of at the whim of (someone) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The same argument could be made now that NASA needs two options to avoid being at the whim of one company's decisions.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Smuggling opium at the whim of a mercurial drug kingpin (Topher Grace).
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
This time, as well as stealing your data and encrypting your files, the Anubis attackers install a custom wiper that can permanently and irrevocably destroy them at the whim of the hackers.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Nations with central banks that move interest rates at the whim of politicians tend to have inflation spikes and other economic troubles, experts have noted.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the whim of (someone)
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Smuggling opium at the whim of a mercurial drug kingpin (Topher Grace).
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
This time, as well as stealing your data and encrypting your files, the Anubis attackers install a custom wiper that can permanently and irrevocably destroy them at the whim of the hackers.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Nations with central banks that move interest rates at the whim of politicians tend to have inflation spikes and other economic troubles, experts have noted.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the whim of (someone)
Cite this Entry
“At the whim of (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20whim%20of%20%28someone%29. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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