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
These decisions, often carefully reasoned by parents, can feel arbitrary or unfair if revealed only through documents.
—
Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Chandler framed himself as an alienated artist persecuted by arbitrary strictures.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
An additional 11,000 Venezuelans have been subject to arbitrary restrictions of their freedoms, the group says.
—Andres Oppenheimer
march 12, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The 30-day window is somewhat arbitrary and open for discussion, Nielsen caveats.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Chandler framed himself as an alienated artist persecuted by arbitrary strictures.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
An additional 11,000 Venezuelans have been subject to arbitrary restrictions of their freedoms, the group says.
—Andres Oppenheimer
march 12, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The 30-day window is somewhat arbitrary and open for discussion, Nielsen caveats.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
This is an organization that can be frustratingly set in its ways and arrogant in its belief that there’s no better way.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Planning for more than 11 contests out of Dobbins, something only produced twice over his first six NFL seasons, isn’t just arrogant.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fitzsimmons will still be subject to alcohol checks and random home inspections by probation officers.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
And then something random comes up and have to pause.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another wonderful cold-season brassica, cauliflower can benefit from a head start indoors, which gives it time to be transplanted and reach maturity outdoors before the summer heat becomes too oppressive.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The pain and exhaustion and grief are so real and oppressive, the camera never dares set a foot outside.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The probes, which will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aim to identify unfair trade practices, particularly structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The company was also accused of fabricating unfair charges when renters moved out, resulting in consumers paying improper fees for normal wear-and-tear, damage that happened before move-in and renovations.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 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
-
Despite his progressive views, he was widely seen as an authoritarian and a despot.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Scientific institutions represent a potential pillar of support for an increasingly authoritarian government.—
Jenna Norton,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Horned Frogs are undersized at guard and in the frontcourt, their offense can often be inconsistent with its ability to shoot from outside, and the rotation really goes only about seven deep.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But immigration lawyers say the Department of Homeland Security’s adherence to that limit has been wildly inconsistent over the past year.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Our founding fathers experienced the heavy hand of a tyrannical government.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Or the sight of an evil Jerry robot, puppeted by the consciousness of a tyrannical butterfly (Dave Franco), scampering, insect-like, around the fiery maelstrom of a rally gone awry.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
