1
as in arrogant
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
an arbitrary piano teacher who makes all her students do the same exercises over and over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
the order of the names of the 10 semifinalists is entirely arbitrary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others
a nation with no tradition of democracy, only a long history of arbitrary rulers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
The other roommate, Nathan Blalock, remains in prison, which Jackson said highlights the arbitrary nature of the decision.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
The state department has advised Americans not to travel to Belarus, citing the Belarusian authorities’ arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of detention as key factors.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.
—David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
The state department has advised Americans not to travel to Belarus, citing the Belarusian authorities’ arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of detention as key factors.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
What follows is a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.
—David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As such, The Studio is shrill and talky, its chaotic scenes sparked by random performers like Charlize Theron, Zac Efron, Olivia Wilde and Sarah Polley, all of whom want something from Remick.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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And as for the new show, the contestants are no longer random.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Collector is also hoping these will satiate the growing wants of his oppressive overlord, The Forger (Roddy Ricch), who has mysterious motives of his own.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise.—
Ian Johnson,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Since taking office just a few weeks ago, President Trump has rapidly depleted the reservoir of America’s soft power with an authoritarian bent and astonishing speed.—
Penny Abeywardena,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The administration accuses other countries of erecting unfair trade barriers to keep out American exports and using underhanded tactics to promote their own.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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Critics argue that the lack of competition and captive audience at airports give vendors unfair pricing power.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Busch's team, Richard Childress Racing, has also struggled with inconsistent finishes, leading many to speculate that the NASCAR veteran has been considering retirement.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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His current form may be inconsistent at best, but Finau believes the best results of his career are still ahead of him.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The film, based on Georges Simenon’s 1950 novel, stars Depardieu as a celebrated but tyrannical actor grappling with personal and professional decline.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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What is the character of those who bear false witness and favor Russia’s tyrannical lies over Ukrainians’ unalienable rights?—
Mark Sandy,
TIME,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The words were harsh but the logic was not unreasonable.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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This would not be an unreasonable proposition, considering the U.S. already pledged a security guarantee to Ukraine upon its return of all nuclear warheads to Russia by 1996, based on the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances.—
Seung-Whan Choi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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