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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
These aren’t arbitrary measurements – each represents a potential evolutionary advantage.
—
James T. Stroud, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
Our borders, if not strictly arbitrary, were certainly arbitrated by outsiders during colonialism, and fixed on the map only six decades ago.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
However, the arbitrary nature of layoffs across agencies, from the Defense and State Departments to the FBI, CIA, and USAID, do not live up to Musk’s intellect.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
The user is urged to visit a website and pay an arbitrary toll amount to avoid a $50 fine.
—Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
James T. Stroud, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
Our borders, if not strictly arbitrary, were certainly arbitrated by outsiders during colonialism, and fixed on the map only six decades ago.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
However, the arbitrary nature of layoffs across agencies, from the Defense and State Departments to the FBI, CIA, and USAID, do not live up to Musk’s intellect.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
The user is urged to visit a website and pay an arbitrary toll amount to avoid a $50 fine.
—Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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In a world where deal flow is crucial, being labeled as an arrogant VC results in missing out on prime opportunities.—
David Nour,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The arrogant anti-union stance did not start with the current CEO; even the legendary Studs Terkel was slapped down by WFMT management for his earlier support of an effort to unionize in 1990.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Cooper Josephine: This started in [Montreal’s] Lafontaine Park when I was scouted by a random person with a clipboard.—
James Factora,
Them.,
31 Mar. 2025
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Those who fail random tests are required to enter a ‘return to work’ program, which includes passing a drug test to have their license reinstated.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Plan Your Trip Charleston, South Carolina The Holy City may be blanketed in humidity in the height of summer, but Charlestonians have figured out all the best ways to deal with the oppressive air.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
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In its first season, Andor was cinematic, grown-up, grounded, and urgent, running bold choices or ideas, like deftly examining how oppressive administrations exert their political power.—
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.,
Refinery29,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Still, Leavitt said the high tariffs are unfair for Americans, and the United States should charge the same, in kind.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday the tariffs would offset unfair treatment the U.S. has faced for decades.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But without a strong messaging foundation, those pieces can feel scattered, inconsistent, or even contradictory.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
28 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 13 Apr. 2025.
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