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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
Claims of arbitrary grant termination are essentially contractual.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Limiting arbitrary executive police power and ensuring compliance with civil rights rules (in some cases an expansion of federal power) do not, in fact, pull in different directions — both are about prioritizing constitutional civil and political rights and due process.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
And what many studies, going back to the civil unrest during the 1960s and '70s, showed that when law enforcement engages in arbitrary or poorly targeted violence, that often creates more violence.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Kavanaugh was the only one to address whether the government's policy was arbitrary and capricious.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Limiting arbitrary executive police power and ensuring compliance with civil rights rules (in some cases an expansion of federal power) do not, in fact, pull in different directions — both are about prioritizing constitutional civil and political rights and due process.
—Joel Day, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
And what many studies, going back to the civil unrest during the 1960s and '70s, showed that when law enforcement engages in arbitrary or poorly targeted violence, that often creates more violence.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Kavanaugh was the only one to address whether the government's policy was arbitrary and capricious.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The agreement says Campbell’s campaign was selected for audit at a random drawing in 2023.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Its pace is slow — occasionally, but rarely, to its detriment — but this clearly deliberate tempo gives you the chance to shoulder the burdens of its oppressive atmosphere and settle into its many puzzles, which regularly trade logic for personal interpretation, and occasionally just vibes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Aug. 2025
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More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Asking them to police a city is unfair — to them, and to the people they’re supposed to serve.—
Eric Chastain,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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There’s a dip after that — but this, of course, is a bit unfair as the players of this generation are continuing to pick up caps.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For an island whose economy has long wrestled with the effects and aftershocks of natural disasters, fiscal crises, and inconsistent tourism, this is a very significant boost.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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All of these changes lead to reduced and inconsistent blood flow within your blood vessels and may increase the likelihood of blood clots.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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With Rome's descent under tyrannical rule, Lucius must step into the gladiatorial ring and fight like his father before him for survival.—
James Mercadante,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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