as in arbitrarily
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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Permits that are granted and withdrawn capriciously, tax credits that come and go, technologies that fall in or out of favor in successive administrations, and endless legal battles all amount to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
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
Adverb
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The movie-release calendar, though often arbitrarily assembled, can sometimes place seemingly unrelated works in meaningful proximity—and in conversation.
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Administrators don’t act arbitrarily, and their actions are publicly logged and closely scrutinized.
Adverb
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Over a century later, the Himalayan blackberry has spread far beyond the modest backyard bounds its importers envisioned, opting instead to take over indiscriminately and displace the native trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in the process.
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The soldiers fire their rifles almost indiscriminately, in other scenes ziplining just a few hundred feet from passing taxis and motorcycles.
Adverb
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Under a new Douglas County ordinance, illegally operating an OHV, driving one carelessly or recklessly, and not wearing a helmet if under 18 could land you with up to a $1,000 fine.
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If used carelessly, the result can end up containing less information than live action while also feeling less fluid and appealing than conventional animation.
Adverb
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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.
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No landlord would allow an occupant to change his property without approval, let alone whimsically destroy a third of it.
Adverb
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Cybersecurity buyers rarely engage casually.
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In one stunning shot, a dragon surges into battle, casually dragging a toe across the water.
Adverb
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These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you.
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The skills people need to build organizations, connections and relationships don’t just show up in adulthood randomly.
Adverb
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Huxley’s critique is clear; America mistakes body for spirit, promiscuously confusing the physical with the metaphysical.
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Political factions are steered by big personalities, and politicians jump promiscuously between parties.
Adverb
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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.
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Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, meant that his heart was beating irregularly, which could lead to blood clots, stroke, or heart failure.
Cite this Entry
“Capriciously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capriciously. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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