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
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
The owner of Boise’s condemned Union Block building, Kenneth Howell, has appealed his March court loss and filed a new lawsuit against the city, arguing that the condemnation decision was arbitrary.
—
Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2026
Van Naarden doesn’t want to set arbitrary size spending limits.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 3 June 2026
More people know about arbitrary arrests and imprisonments.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 May 2026
That means planning commissions and city councils cannot impose arbitrary approval requirements or reject projects out of hand.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2026
Van Naarden doesn’t want to set arbitrary size spending limits.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 3 June 2026
More people know about arbitrary arrests and imprisonments.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 May 2026
That means planning commissions and city councils cannot impose arbitrary approval requirements or reject projects out of hand.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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The two roles underline the actor’s formidable versatility, all skittish panic in the former and arrogant sociopathy in the other.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 June 2026
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Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.—
C Pam Zhang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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An offshoot of the popular podcast that actor-comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang have hosted since 2016, the award show aims to celebrate the year’s biggest pop culture moments and plays like a fever dream more dazzling and deliciously random than a late-night scroll session on TikTok.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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These aren’t random acquisitions.—
Ivan Guzenko,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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High heat, oppressive humidity and a few thunderstorms are all in the weather forecast for the Boston area through Friday evening, so the WBZ-TV Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The story began with Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, getting hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Marlowe earned the right — even in an increasingly unfair business — to exit on his terms.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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France having him and Saliba is frankly unfair.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The death of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei stunned Iranians, many of whom had never known anything but his authoritarian leadership.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Our research suggests that activists seeking to protect American democracy from authoritarian influences are pursuing a failing strategy.—
Scott Warren,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Debra Shore, a former administrator of the EPA’s Midwestern office who lives part time in Michigan City, said the federal proposal could create inconsistent protections throughout the Great Lakes — notably neighboring states like Indiana and Illinois.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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The zipper merge also helps vehicles avoid coming to a complete stop, which can lead to sudden lane switching, inconsistent driving speeds that cause crashes, long back-ups and road rage.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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The bony villain is a warlock who stole the throne of Eternia from King Randor and now rules it with a tyrannical fist.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
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Independence for the 13 colonies was in the interest of anyone, anywhere, who believed the only remedy for tyrannical authority was for people to govern themselves.—
Michael Kazin,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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