1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impulsive
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 & 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 capricious
Frankfurt’s January investment Frankfurt were among the league’s most capricious teams in the first half of the season.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
California sued, alleging the termination is unlawfully arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleged that the USDA’s actions were arbitrary and capricious and therefore violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Although international law requires humanitarian access to civilians regardless of the state of conflict between the warring parties, aid to Gaza has continually been used as a bargaining chip between Israel and Hamas or restricted or blocked by Israel for capricious reasons.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
California sued, alleging the termination is unlawfully arbitrary and capricious.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit alleged that the USDA’s actions were arbitrary and capricious and therefore violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Although international law requires humanitarian access to civilians regardless of the state of conflict between the warring parties, aid to Gaza has continually been used as a bargaining chip between Israel and Hamas or restricted or blocked by Israel for capricious reasons.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
-
That will entail the coöperation of finance and industry, which, weary of the current Administration’s volatile economic and foreign policy, are likely to support a challenger who can steady the boat.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The deep, indomitable and occasionally volatile Penguins soared again on Saturday.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The challenge is resisting impulsive decisions driven by anxiety.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Anyone who has made an impulsive decision in a moment of intense emotion knows that feelings shape our choices just as much as rational thought.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Your finances are the focus as unpredictable Uranus stations direct in your 2nd House of Resources, stalled money moves unstick, so a raise chat or subscription cleanup suddenly looks worth action.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Complaints about low wages and unpredictable schedules for associates were rising.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Canadian American performer earned acclaim playing eccentric characters across film and television, from comedic roles to dramatic parts in prestige productions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
This question has rattled around in thousands of runners’ brains throughout January, due to an eccentric athletic competition.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Harlem tenants say the heat in their building has been inconsistent for weeks as a dangerous cold spell grips New York City.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Injuries appeared inconsistent with ICE account The AP interviewed a doctor and five nurses who work at Hennepin County Medical Center who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about Castañeda Mondragón’s case and conditions inside the hospital.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As a new Fortune magazine feature reveals, the gold hoarding reflects a belief on the part of Tether’s CEO that Western economies are unraveling and that his firm can be an anchor of stability in an unstable world.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As stocks become unstable, precious metals are usually a safe bet for investors.—
Itzel Franco,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
