capriciously

adverb

as in arbitrarily

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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Recent Examples of capriciously Permits that are granted and withdrawn capriciously, tax credits that come and go, technologies that fall in or out of favor in successive administrations, and endless legal battles all amount to dangerous barriers to investment. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026 That standard would uphold the NCAA’s interpretation of the waiver rule so long as the NCAA didn’t act arbitrarily or capriciously, either of which is difficult to show. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capriciously
  1. arbitrarily
  2. indiscriminately
  3. carelessly
  4. whimsically
  5. casually
  6. randomly
  7. promiscuously
  8. irregularly
Adverb
  • Attorneys for the players said Thursday that the Cobb County court found the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on claims that the NCAA applied its eligibility rules arbitrarily and inconsistently.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The government says the law does not allow land to be taken arbitrarily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrarily
Adverb
  • Our Best Defense None of this means artificial intelligence should be feared or slowed indiscriminately.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Flying over the battle, Ulf directs Silverwing's fire on both armies seemingly indiscriminately.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of indiscriminately
Adverb
  • Each model can be useful, and each creates different risks when applied carelessly.
    — Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But when leaders use them carelessly, employees may internalize a meaning the leader never intended.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of carelessly
Adverb
  • Sculptures whimsically assembled from chairs, lamps, and a filing cabinet pulled from Cultural Center storage get roped off by floor tape that cleverly extends the artworks themselves, upending standard museum practice while also sticking to it.
    — Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Out in the high desert near Cabazon, my favorite stops are Hadley’s Fruit Orchards, home of the famous Hadley date shakes, and the whimsically Cabazon Dinosaur sculptors.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of whimsically
Adverb
  • The offseason especially has turned into showcase opportunities for players across social media and beyond, either casually or in tournament form.
    — Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News Miami appears to show the three female suspects enter the store on Wednesday to casually look at clothes.
    — Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of casually
Adverb
  • Players who score five out of five may be randomly selected for one of the Silver Tickets, which grant them access to a bonus question.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
  • All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five randomly within each conference based on win-loss records from last season.
    — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of randomly
Adverb
  • Huxley’s critique is clear; America mistakes body for spirit, promiscuously confusing the physical with the metaphysical.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • Political factions are steered by big personalities, and politicians jump promiscuously between parties.
    — BEN BLAND, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024
Definition of promiscuously
Adverb
  • Why AFib can be difficult to catch AFib causes the heart's upper chambers to beat irregularly.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Someone who gets hives or has gastrointestinal distress irregularly might not identify their dinner as the trigger of the symptoms, or might assume food poisoning.
    — Eva Flowe May 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Definition of irregularly

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capriciously
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Cite this Entry

“Capriciously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capriciously. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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