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
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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 union had initial goals to stop arbitrary evictions, rent gouging, reforming code enforcement and forcing repairs, MacLeod said.
—
Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
School grades are also based on a set of measurements which researchers such as Baker say often rely on arbitrary cutoffs and oversimplified metrics that potentially distort school performance.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
This arbitrary reasoning has no parallel elsewhere in medicine.
—Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
The State Department has designated Nicaragua as a country Americans should reconsider traveling to, citing crime, the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention and the limited availability of health care.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
School grades are also based on a set of measurements which researchers such as Baker say often rely on arbitrary cutoffs and oversimplified metrics that potentially distort school performance.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
This arbitrary reasoning has no parallel elsewhere in medicine.
—Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
The State Department has designated Nicaragua as a country Americans should reconsider traveling to, citing crime, the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention and the limited availability of health care.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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As the day goes on, Jim goes from a caricature of an arrogant male director to an oddly compelling picture of a pathetic man, moved by spite toward his ex-wife, Anita.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
-
Actor Tyler Hilton played Chris Keller, a charming but arrogant musician, on four seasons of the teen soap.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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This behaviour can also be triggered by a random and undefined phrase or prompt.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Keppler notes that the 10-year time frame isn’t random.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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But South Korean cars from Hyundai and Kia factor significantly into the $66-billion trade deficit that Trump has decried as unfair.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
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Many schools that served mostly low-income students were issued D’s and F’s, which many educators and parents found unfair.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Look for inconsistent job titles, company descriptions, locations and services across all platforms.—
Don Dodds,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Biking advocates worry about inconsistent rules across the suburban landscape.—
Paulina Czupryna,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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However, some new reevaluations of primary source documents and ethnobotanical fieldwork now suggests there was more to the madman than tyrannical bloodlust.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
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Separated by accident from his colony, Remy ends up hiding out at Gusteau’s old restaurant, now owned by the tyrannical, rat-hating chef Skinner.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Medical device safety alert: issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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