Synonyms of vagary

vagary

noun

ˈvā-gə-rē 

as in whim

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action

the vagaries of a rather eccentric, elderly lady

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whim
• notion
• whimsy
• caprice
• megrim
• whimsey
• vagrancy
• fancy
• bee
• maggot
• kink
• humor
• fantasy
• capriciousness
• freak
• bee in one's bonnet
• thought
• fancifulness
• impression
• phantasy
• crank
• whimsicality
• image
• freakishness
• concept
• conception
• conceit
• impetuosity
• picture
• inspiration
• brainstorm
• mind's eye

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vagary distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of vagary are caprice, crotchet, and whim. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

When could caprice be used to replace vagary?

While in some cases nearly identical to vagary, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When can crotchet be used instead of vagary?

The words crotchet and vagary can be used in similar contexts, but crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Where would whim be a reasonable alternative to vagary?

While the synonyms whim and vagary are close in meaning, whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vagary

Where fans once relied on the vagaries of radio play and magazine spreads to engage with their favorite artists, today’s fans form tightknit communities on social media platforms like TikTok and Discord. —Lindsay A. Fleming, Time, 15 Aug. 2025

Many use it to create scenarios around earnings projections against the vagaries of tariffs, policy shifts, technology investments and more. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025

Vape shops have spread across the American retail landscape with a bizarre swiftness, seemingly unbeholden to the same vagaries of inflation, customer demand, and local real estate that bind every other kind of storefront small business in the country. —Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 22 June 2023

Third, repeaters should prove capable of swapping this data between nodes in a network in a predictable way and not one too subject to the vagaries of chance. —IEEE Spectrum, 13 June 2023

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