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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 arbitrary
Top Stories Prices are not arbitrary numbers made up by rich people or greedy corporations.
—
The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
Even people with legal status are wary, Gordo said, because some of the raids appear to be arbitrary and indiscriminate.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The entire economy of the state rests on the arbitrary decisions of the regulatory staff, while businesses, technology experts, utilities and entire industries can only submit public comment letters and stand in line to speak for two minutes to the board before the guillotine blade drops.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.
—Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
Even people with legal status are wary, Gordo said, because some of the raids appear to be arbitrary and indiscriminate.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The entire economy of the state rests on the arbitrary decisions of the regulatory staff, while businesses, technology experts, utilities and entire industries can only submit public comment letters and stand in line to speak for two minutes to the board before the guillotine blade drops.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.
—Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
-
In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The prime time talent show is once again ruining our viewing of acts by constantly cutting in reaction shots of the audience, hosts and random people.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2025
-
Din Djarin, Boba Fett, and a random stormtrooper are all effectively evoked by these simple outfits.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
-
Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
-
All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
In December, Lopez blocked that joint bid, saying the auction process was unfair, lacked transparency and the joint bid was questionable.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
5 July 2025
-
To this day, Conner’s mother believes the settlement was unfair and saw it as a way to silence critics of the police.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Look for inconsistent job titles, company descriptions, locations and services across all platforms.—
Don Dodds,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Biking advocates worry about inconsistent rules across the suburban landscape.—
Paulina Czupryna,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, some new reevaluations of primary source documents and ethnobotanical fieldwork now suggests there was more to the madman than tyrannical bloodlust.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
-
Separated by accident from his colony, Remy ends up hiding out at Gusteau’s old restaurant, now owned by the tyrannical, rat-hating chef Skinner.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Medical device safety alert: issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share