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capricious

Q: How does the adjective 'capricious' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capricious are fickle , inconstant , mercurial , and unstable . While all these words mean "lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion)," capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability. // an utterly capricious critic

Q: When can 'fickle' be used instead of 'capricious'?

In some situations, the words fickle and capricious are roughly equivalent. However, fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness. // performers discover how fickle fans can be

Q: Where would 'inconstant' be a reasonable alternative to 'capricious'?

Although the words inconstant and capricious have much in common, inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change. // an inconstant friend

Q: When could 'mercurial' be used to replace 'capricious'?

The meanings of mercurial and capricious largely overlap; however, mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood. // made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament

Q: When might 'unstable' be a better fit than 'capricious'?

While the synonyms unstable and capricious are close in meaning, unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance. // too unstable to hold a job

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Synonyms & Antonyms of capricious

1 likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly

capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next

Synonyms for capricious

Words Related to capricious

Phrases Synonymous with capricious

up in the air

Near Antonyms for capricious

Antonyms for capricious

2 prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions

a capricious woman who changed her mind dozens of times about what color to paint the bathroom

Synonyms for capricious

Words Related to capricious

Near Antonyms for capricious

equable

Frequently Asked Questions About capricious

How does the adjective capricious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capricious are fickle, inconstant, mercurial, and unstable. While all these words mean "lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion)," capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability.

an utterly capricious critic

When can fickle be used instead of capricious?

In some situations, the words fickle and capricious are roughly equivalent. However, fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness.

performers discover how fickle fans can be

Where would inconstant be a reasonable alternative to capricious?

Although the words inconstant and capricious have much in common, inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change.

an inconstant friend

When could mercurial be used to replace capricious?

The meanings of mercurial and capricious largely overlap; however, mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood.

made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament

When might unstable be a better fit than capricious?

While the synonyms unstable and capricious are close in meaning, unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance.

too unstable to hold a job