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
These restrictions aren’t arbitrary numbers pulled out of a hat just to infuriate the fan base or micromanage a crisis.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia’s death penalty as then applied was arbitrary and discriminatory, forcing all states to rewrite their laws and beef up their systems to provide for death row defense lawyers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026
Still, while others like Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić are receiving the sob stories for just missing the 65-game threshold, Avdija may be the best example of its arbitrary nature.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Interreligious tension exists, with arbitrary detentions of Christians and arrests under the nation’s blasphemy laws.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia’s death penalty as then applied was arbitrary and discriminatory, forcing all states to rewrite their laws and beef up their systems to provide for death row defense lawyers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026
Still, while others like Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić are receiving the sob stories for just missing the 65-game threshold, Avdija may be the best example of its arbitrary nature.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Interreligious tension exists, with arbitrary detentions of Christians and arrests under the nation’s blasphemy laws.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
-
The series has devolved into a hysteria that the young and arrogant Timberwolves feed on since that first quarter of Game 2.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, many thought Tilson Thomas too brash and arrogant to lead an orchestra, and, around the same time, Tilson Thomas fell in with New York’s disco-hopping crowd.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fans who registered for the first drop of tickets but did not receive a time slot and fans who did not buy their maximum 12 general ticket allotment will automatically be entered into the random lottery Drop 2.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Pearce must continue treatment, submit to random drug tests and follow the NFL’s testing protocol.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Their film, created by a Palestinian-Israeli collective during oppressive times, aims to challenge the ongoing expulsion and propose a vision of equality.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Their rich odor was almost oppressive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Borrowers should also know that the FDCPA provides specific protections against abusive, deceptive or unfair collection practices.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Women really get a very, very unfair shake, even in this country [the United States].—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Within minutes of leaving town, the pavement twists downward through tight turns and steep grades as the mountain air begins to warm, the vegetation giving way to chaparral and scattered juniper, then to the stark silhouettes of ocotillo and Mojave yucca.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Advertisement The orthodox and authoritarian left in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has, in many ways, sabotaged and delayed the renewal of the Latin American left.—
Carlos Manuel Alvarez,
Time,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Snow’s life’s work has been sustaining a Hobbesian authoritarian government.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After two inconsistent seasons, Johnson became a consensus first-team All-American last year, rushing for 1,537 yards and a school-record 22 touchdowns.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Melissa Horner’s inconsistent presence in the home seemed to upset her son’s routines.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Uprising centers on the untold story of a rebellion against tyrannical King Richard II.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Trueba family’s passions, struggles, and secrets span a century of violent social change, culminating in a crisis that hurls the proud, tyrannical patriarch and his beloved granddaughter towards opposite sides of the fence.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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