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Synonym Chooser

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

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 capricious The report is a master class in arbitrary and capricious decision-making applied to science. ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2025 Yet, this deal remains fragile in the context of capricious tariffs and a dysfunctional dispute resolution system within the World Trade Organization. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Shou, in his feature debut, does a fine job evoking the capricious moods of a teenager battling against his own mind. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025 In these environments expecting bosses to make capricious, mean or short-sighted decisions can be easily mistaken for intelligence. Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
  • Not too happy about the volatile nature of PLTR stock?
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Broadening market As the S & P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh records again on Wednesday, there is a simultaneous broadening and a move into more volatile parts of the market by investors.
    Frank Holland, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For example: • Excitement can spark innovation or lead to impulsive decisions.
    Marc Brackett, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
  • That impulsive rescue set off a chain reaction that would change everything.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Enjoy the unpredictable and the unknown, which is where wonder and curiosity and adventure unfold.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • But humanitarian logistics operates in far more volatile and unpredictable environments.
    Cynthia Tully, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The mild mannered, eccentric, addicted-to-fast-things Kentucky man has made a quick name for himself in the horse racing industry.
    Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The funky and eccentric disposable bags will arrive soon in varying tones.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.
    Jordan Kisner Jack Davison, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2022
  • Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Strong has had some nice moments during camp, and though inconsistent, there is enough potential there to not risk putting him on waivers.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
  • And not all retail data strategies are created equally as many organizations are plagued with data silos, subpar data quality, inconsistent data, and other challenges.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • People have been urged to avoid entering possibly unstable buildings as aftershocks continued to shake the area, according to the Times.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Although the emergency warning was reduced to a less urgent heavy rain warning on Monday afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the soil had become unstable due to the precipitation, leaving the region at an elevated risk of landslides even without excessive rain.
    Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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