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
Astronomers have adopted somewhat arbitrary standard units to address this issue.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Yes, there are some wonderful aspects to wildflowering − ones which modern daters, steeped in arbitrary rules and overthinking, could definitely enjoy.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 May 2026
They may be asked to perform arbitrary tasks, use a variety of tools, and operate in a variety of contexts.
—Ion Stoica, Fortune, 27 May 2026
In Louisiana, Democrats raised concerns about mandatory jail time for disrupting services and warned that the laws were too arbitrary, suggesting that they could be applied against a congregant for singing out of turn as a pastor delivers a homily.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Yes, there are some wonderful aspects to wildflowering − ones which modern daters, steeped in arbitrary rules and overthinking, could definitely enjoy.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 May 2026
They may be asked to perform arbitrary tasks, use a variety of tools, and operate in a variety of contexts.
—Ion Stoica, Fortune, 27 May 2026
In Louisiana, Democrats raised concerns about mandatory jail time for disrupting services and warned that the laws were too arbitrary, suggesting that they could be applied against a congregant for singing out of turn as a pastor delivers a homily.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
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Public policy decisions always need to strive for middle ground, and those leadership decisions often referred to as arrogant can just as easily be called principled leadership.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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But, a series of random attacks that left two women dead and a man injured in Atlanta over the past few weeks have some locals on edge, and others wondering if the city is truly prepared to handle the safety of thousands of extra people.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The vast majority of e-chucks are made of ceramic — hence Toto’s seemingly random decision to add them to its portfolio.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The dialogue is well-crafted, the Southern atmosphere (Atlanta doubling Savannah, with Savannah here and there standing for itself) suitably oppressive.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Dew points above 65 degrees indicate a high level of moisture in the air, making the heat oppressive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Legal and privacy concerns The lawsuit accuses Amazon of violating the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits deceptive and unfair business practices.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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There were those dumb America's Care Packages that bestowed special powers to popular players to give them unfair advantages.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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There will be some scattered rain in cabin country up north Wednesday, but everyone else will see plenty of sun with heat but low humidity.—
Mike Augustyniak,
CBS News,
3 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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Regardless of why Americans express neutrality, those who do so are just as likely to vote for authoritarian politicians as the relatively small number of Americans (less than 1 in 5) who explicitly support undemocratic practices.—
Matthew E.K. Hall,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Safety regulations – intended to constrain corporate power – in authoritarian regimes become tools to coerce compliance.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Studies examining how alcohol affects people’s eating habits have produced inconsistent results, University of Sydney researchers reported in Obesity Reviews.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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As Manaea walked off the mound Tuesday night, Mendoza clapped his hands from the bottom step of the Mets’ dugout in Seattle with exuberance inconsistent with the Mets’ early June standing.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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However, to embrace his destiny Adam must become He-Man, return to his home planet, reclaim the Sword of Power and save his people from the tyrannical Skeletor.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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And intrusion by Sacramento lawmakers is nothing short of tyrannical.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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