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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
By focusing on arbitrary numbers rather than specific pathogens, the state forces legal growers to treat safe flower, stripping it of quality.
—
Rino Ferrarese, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
According to the mission, prosecutors and judges frequently ordered pretrial detention as a routine measure and in some cases provided legal cover for arbitrary arrests by issuing warrants retroactively.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Even so, the divisions seemed arbitrary and subjective.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The threat of such arbitrary tariffs have been a primary tool of economic and diplomatic coercion, used to extract trade agreements in which countries, including allies such as Britain and Japan, accept higher tariffs on their goods.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Rino Ferrarese, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
According to the mission, prosecutors and judges frequently ordered pretrial detention as a routine measure and in some cases provided legal cover for arbitrary arrests by issuing warrants retroactively.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Even so, the divisions seemed arbitrary and subjective.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The threat of such arbitrary tariffs have been a primary tool of economic and diplomatic coercion, used to extract trade agreements in which countries, including allies such as Britain and Japan, accept higher tariffs on their goods.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
The history of classic Athens shows us that a Democracy can misuse its power, become arrogant and become a tyrant.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These aren’t random clearance leftovers—they’re practical, stylish finds that’ll carry you straight into spring trips and beyond.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
No more random goons without background checks, and fire all who never should have been hired.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There is something oppressive about being tied into everything all the time.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Iran is a bad actor and oppressive state that has suppressed its people and supported terrorism around the world.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Business groups, including the Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach chambers of commerce, worried the change would hurt Broward businesses and give Miami-Dade and Monroe counties an unfair advantage, particularly with tourists.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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Hasan and Garrity said in their statement that at times negotiations were prolonged and contentious and, in their opinion, required the union to file an unfair labor practice charge with the Illinois Labor Relations Board.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And in legislative committees and in debate on Wednesday, sponsors of the new requirement didn’t cite evidence of more than scattered cases in which non-citizens may have voted.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The authoritarian regime has brutally oppressed the people of Iran for generations.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Or think of how extreme weather can disrupt voting access, creating real and perceived grievances that are fertile ground for authoritarian interference in elections.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For a while, cities across Kentucky were inconsistent, with some observing the time change and others not.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Progress to close the gender pay gap has been slow and inconsistent.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet the tyrannical impulse of authoritarian populists is the same across the world.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Colbert episode did not prove that the agency is tyrannical or obsolete.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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