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 Critics have argued that it is arbitrarily used to keep embarrassing information from being made public. — ABC News, 23 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 Discussions on workforce capacity often arbitrarily stop counting at age 64, despite concerns over talent shortages and aging populations. — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Six justices agreed that arbitrarily limiting how much party committees can spend in conjunction with their nominees violates the First Amendment. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 30 June 2026 Administrators don’t act arbitrarily, and their actions are publicly logged and closely scrutinized. — Ryan McGrady, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 These are not arbitrarily inserted ads. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 June 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Permits that are granted and withdrawn capriciously, tax credits that come and go, technologies that fall in or out of favor in successive administrations, and endless legal battles all amount to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

Flying an unmanned aircraft system carelessly or recklessly, interfering with a first responder operation, is also a misdemeanor under state law and San Diego municipal code.

— Sydney Brammer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
Officials said activities connected to people ‒ from fireworks to carelessly discarded cigarettes ‒ have sparked 75% of wildfires in Utah in 2026.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of carelessly

Adverb

The 1962 film version featured a more innocent family with a daughter who’s presexual and thus a naïve object of lust for Robert Mitchum’s casually lascivious Cady.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 July 2026
In a video that’s racking up millions of views online, a curious bear strolled up to a golf cart at Golden Eagle Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, helped itself to a player's golf bag, then casually dragged it away from the tee box.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of casually

Adverb

Participants were randomly assigned to either the MIND diet or a control diet, both with mild caloric restriction, for three years.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
When harvesting mint, do not pick leaves randomly but cut back shoot terminals to a pair of leaves opposite one another.

— Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 July 2026

Definition of randomly

Adverb

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
No landlord would allow an occupant to change his property without approval, let alone whimsically destroy a third of it.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of whimsically

Adverb

Before her request, Vivienne had already informally dropped the last name.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Clyne returned to Palace, initially being invited to train with the club informally in September 2020 before he was awarded a contract until the end of January, which was then extended several times.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 1 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of arbitrarily

adverb

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