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
Top Stories Prices are not arbitrary numbers made up by rich people or greedy corporations.
—
The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
Even people with legal status are wary, Gordo said, because some of the raids appear to be arbitrary and indiscriminate.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The entire economy of the state rests on the arbitrary decisions of the regulatory staff, while businesses, technology experts, utilities and entire industries can only submit public comment letters and stand in line to speak for two minutes to the board before the guillotine blade drops.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.
—Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025
Even people with legal status are wary, Gordo said, because some of the raids appear to be arbitrary and indiscriminate.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The entire economy of the state rests on the arbitrary decisions of the regulatory staff, while businesses, technology experts, utilities and entire industries can only submit public comment letters and stand in line to speak for two minutes to the board before the guillotine blade drops.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.
—Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
-
In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The prime time talent show is once again ruining our viewing of acts by constantly cutting in reaction shots of the audience, hosts and random people.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2025
-
Din Djarin, Boba Fett, and a random stormtrooper are all effectively evoked by these simple outfits.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.—
Time,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Even among authoritarian regimes, differences in values can limit cooperation.—
Leon Aron,
The Atlantic,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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In December, Lopez blocked that joint bid, saying the auction process was unfair, lacked transparency and the joint bid was questionable.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
5 July 2025
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To this day, Conner’s mother believes the settlement was unfair and saw it as a way to silence critics of the police.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Since 2024, luxury brands from conglomerates like Kering, LVMH and Richemont have experienced inconsistent quarters of sales growth and decline.—
Emma Sandler,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The talented but inconsistent 22-year-old forward has tantalized the Warriors with his athleticism and scoring, and frustrated with his mental lapses and on-court gaffes, for four seasons since being the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.—
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The Biden-era Justice Department, Washington, D.C., and six states sued in 2021, arguing the alliance violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act, a federal antitrust law that prohibits unreasonable restraints on competition.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
30 June 2025
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Expectations for Jade are borderline unreasonable, and patience is a virtue in WWE as evidenced by all the times Karrion Kross was allowed to fall on his face for years before finally finding his voice.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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