1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next
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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
as in impulsiveness
an inclination to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions
the client's capriciousness frustrated the building contractor to no end
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of capricious
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
Desperate to impress Ruby, Ava scrambles to get Deborah jokes for a desk bit, only for a capricious and vindictive Deborah to cancel the bit entirely and use the time to probe Ruby about embarrassing Ava stories on national television.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 9 May 2025
Because that would be a fairy-tale ending, and this is Gilead, brutal and capricious.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
While some countries offer streamlined security and passport control for parents with young children, American parents say the U.S. system remains cumbersome, capricious and highly stressful.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Adjective
In short, fate’s distribution of long straws is wildly capricious.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
Desperate to impress Ruby, Ava scrambles to get Deborah jokes for a desk bit, only for a capricious and vindictive Deborah to cancel the bit entirely and use the time to probe Ruby about embarrassing Ava stories on national television.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 9 May 2025
Because that would be a fairy-tale ending, and this is Gilead, brutal and capricious.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
While some countries offer streamlined security and passport control for parents with young children, American parents say the U.S. system remains cumbersome, capricious and highly stressful.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
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The Behavioral Finance Connection When the market’s volatile, fear drives behavior.—
Meredith Moore,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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The fire had to feel alive, volatile, and credible—a force the actors had to confront in real time.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Although bad things do happen to him, they are often caused by his own careless and impulsive nature.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Move slowly and be careful about impulsive ideas and actions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Entrepreneurs who want to survive must meet our current reality by staying as flexible as the market is unpredictable.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Nathan Howard | Reuters Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today Developments from the White House are growing more exciting and unpredictable than those 1,000-episode Asian drama serials.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The general public quickly soured to the idea of the eccentric CEO playing a key role in the administration.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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After establishing the eccentric lawyer’s journey into crimefighting, Elsbeth was able to build upon that foundation in season 2.—
Alamin Yohannes,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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The Royals’ offense has been inconsistent this season.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2025
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Without clear boundaries, AI agents may act in ways that are inconsistent with business rules, brand voice or regulatory requirements.—
Alan Ranger,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Sitting places the glutes in a lengthened, inactive state that pushes the pelvis forward and puts the lower back at a painfully compressed, mechanical disadvantage, which in turn creates a posture that feels tight, stiff and unstable.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
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Business models are under pressure, distribution is unstable, and competition for attention is fiercer than ever.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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