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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Keppler notes that the 10-year time frame isn’t random.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
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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
Adjective
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In many areas along and east of the Mississippi River, heat index values could soar to between 110 and 115 degrees — the kind of oppressive heat that can quickly turn dangerous without proper precautions.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
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Generally, when dew point values climb into the 70s, the heat becomes a nuisance and feels oppressive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
North Korea is under sanctions from the United States — as well as the United Nations and several other countries — largely in response to the isolated authoritarian state's weapons programs.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
25 July 2025
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While Western democracies debate environmental reviews and grid reliability, authoritarian systems can rapidly direct energy flows to computing infrastructure.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
25 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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While Salesforce tries to make this as painless as possible, its UI/UX can be inconsistent and create bottlenecks during onboarding.—
Andrii Kovalchuk,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The company's customer service is known for being inconsistent.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.—
Michael W. Clune,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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His exact demands are unknown but given his status as one of the world’s leading players a range of £250,000 to £300,000 a week is far from unreasonable.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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Barbara Attard, a police accountability expert, said meet and confer can last months, but beyond a year is unreasonable.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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