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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of capricious
There’s no trace of anything strummed or plucked; clusters of tone simply materialize out of thin air, as capricious as weather.
—
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
But the ongoing fracturing of American politics, and especially the capricious and authoritarian-leaning tendencies of the current administration, complicates everything.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The attorney general’s interpretation, the court said, was not unreasonable or capricious, merely different from the administrative law judge’s.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Then again, the president is capricious and that could change.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
But the ongoing fracturing of American politics, and especially the capricious and authoritarian-leaning tendencies of the current administration, complicates everything.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
The attorney general’s interpretation, the court said, was not unreasonable or capricious, merely different from the administrative law judge’s.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Then again, the president is capricious and that could change.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
-
There are fears that the situation could escalate and drag the volatile Tigray region into a proxy war, even as relief agencies warn of a dire humanitarian situation on the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
A little over a decade later, Raja Club Athletic was established in 1949 during the final, increasingly volatile years before independence.—
Radier Odhiambo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
This skill prevents reactive leadership, builds trust and enables thoughtful responses rather than impulsive reactions that can damage relationships and morale.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
-
The attacks were rarely sudden or impulsive.—
Michael Brunker,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
The number of parts made the behavior of each one unpredictable, although the whole was governed by rules.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
-
According to VinDynamics, the deployment demonstrated the platform’s ability to function reliably in unpredictable service environments while maintaining continuous interaction with people.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Buddhist, recently widowed, and a successful artist, Rose is ditsy and rather eccentric, but is grounded by a 13-year-old step-granddaughter.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Enter into this scenario eccentric Dutch psychic Helga ten Dorp (played by Davies), whose unsettling visions threaten to expose everyone’s secrets.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 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
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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
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Your first warning is when local news, embassy alerts, and travel communications become inconsistent or censored, situational awareness is compromised.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
AltaMed doctors and medical professionals traded stethoscopes for fliers advertising voting sites and canvassed neighborhoods in Santa Ana ahead of the June 2 primary on Tuesday to connect with residents who had been diagnosed as low-propensity or inconsistent voters.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Because the chemicals and the tank were deemed unstable, responders couldn't immediately access all the areas of the facility to search for additional victims, officials said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
So we are used to operating in a very unstable context.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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