ARBITRARILY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

arbitrarily

adverb

Definition of arbitrarily

as in capriciously

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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 arbitrarily Attorneys for the players said Thursday that the Cobb County court found the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on claims that the NCAA applied its eligibility rules arbitrarily and inconsistently. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 The government says the law does not allow land to be taken arbitrarily. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 The vaccine schedule is meticulously designed from decades of research, timing doses to protect children when most vulnerable, not arbitrarily. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Folsom’s order keeping the grace period in effect concluded that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their constitutional challenge of the law because arbitrarily disenfranchise voters due to mail delays beyond their control. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 In theory, this means any two spins could be moved around arbitrarily, brought into proximity, and entangled. — ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 Those who wanted to lead consistently underperformed compared to those who were selected arbitrarily. — Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 21 July 2026 This kind of beauty has nothing to do with perfection, which is distributed so arbitrarily and approximated so gracelessly. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 This allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and no longer arbitrarily subjects them to traffic control measures designed for other types of vehicles. — Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrarily

Adverb

Permits that are granted and withdrawn capriciously, tax credits that come and go, technologies that fall in or out of favor in successive administrations, and endless legal battles all amount to dangerous barriers to investment.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
That standard would uphold the NCAA’s interpretation of the waiver rule so long as the NCAA didn’t act arbitrarily or capriciously, either of which is difficult to show.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Definition of capriciously

Adverb

Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Kylese Perryman claims his rights were violated, saying investigators carelessly and incorrectly identified him as the man responsible for a violent felony.

— Ubah Ali, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of carelessly

Adverb

The offseason especially has turned into showcase opportunities for players across social media and beyond, either casually or in tournament form.

— Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News Miami appears to show the three female suspects enter the store on Wednesday to casually look at clothes.

— Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of casually

Adverb

Players who score five out of five may be randomly selected for one of the Silver Tickets, which grant them access to a bonus question.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five randomly within each conference based on win-loss records from last season.

— Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of randomly

Adverb

Sculptures whimsically assembled from chairs, lamps, and a filing cabinet pulled from Cultural Center storage get roped off by floor tape that cleverly extends the artworks themselves, upending standard museum practice while also sticking to it.

— Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Out in the high desert near Cabazon, my favorite stops are Hadley’s Fruit Orchards, home of the famous Hadley date shakes, and the whimsically Cabazon Dinosaur sculptors.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Definition of whimsically

Adverb

Arsenal aren’t obliged to ask anyone’s permission before exploring the market — clubs routinely sound out interest and explore deals informally.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
People have been informally betting on Mother Nature for more than 100 years, Pietruska said, dating to the 1880s when people in India would gamble on whether a rain gauge would overflow during a monsoon.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of informally

Adverb

Huxley’s critique is clear; America mistakes body for spirit, promiscuously confusing the physical with the metaphysical.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Political factions are steered by big personalities, and politicians jump promiscuously between parties.

— BEN BLAND, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024

Definition of promiscuously

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“Arbitrarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrarily. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of arbitrarily

adverb

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