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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbitrary
Of course, such arbitrary exercise of power undercuts citizens’ trust in official data and their ability to assess the consequences of government action.
—
Thomas Stapleford, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
But his high-handed, arbitrary seizure of power may have permanently scarred the system of careful checks and balances meant to keep government at all levels accountable to the people.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
The court stated that the law is susceptible to discriminatory or arbitrary enforcement and would grant police discretion to make arbitrary arrests.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 6 Aug. 2025
In some ways, are triple doubles an arbitrary achievement?
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Thomas Stapleford, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
But his high-handed, arbitrary seizure of power may have permanently scarred the system of careful checks and balances meant to keep government at all levels accountable to the people.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
The court stated that the law is susceptible to discriminatory or arbitrary enforcement and would grant police discretion to make arbitrary arrests.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 6 Aug. 2025
In some ways, are triple doubles an arbitrary achievement?
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary
Adjective
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But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yelich noted the random nature of postseason baseball and said the Brewers’ playoff history is pretty irrelevant because there’s so much turnover from year to year.—
Steve Megargee,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Kyle McKay, who supervises the state's motor carrier unit, said his troopers test drivers for English ability during random roadside inspections and at mandatory port of entry checks.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The film is filled to the brim with real people and incidents, providing an entertaining primer to explain how a former Communist country was transformed into a cutthroat capitalist regime ruled by an authoritarian modeling himself on Stalin.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
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Only six of the 26 leaders expected this year govern democracies, down from seven of 24 in 2015, highlighting the increasingly authoritarian tilt of the lineup, according to analysis by Neil Thomas of the Asia Society think tank.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That blame might be unfair; Trump’s tariffs and a national immigration crackdown, which are surely affecting demand and hiring, aren’t Powell’s doing.—
Jon Hilsenrath,
semafor.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Minnesota is seeking a declaration that TikTok’s practices are deceptive, unfair or unconscionable under state law, a permanent injunction against those practices, and up to $25,000 for each instance in which a Minnesota child has accessed TikTok.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Saturday, in Johnson’s first start as a Rattler, the offense scored nine points and punted eight times. Johnson, a transfer from Toledo, was inconsistent.—
Jayden Gonzalez,
Miami Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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Louisiana Tech will look to strike quickly in the passing game while tightening up a defense that has been inconsistent in recent years.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With Rome's descent under tyrannical rule, Lucius must step into the gladiatorial ring and fight like his father before him for survival.—
James Mercadante,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Set in a small village in southern India, the absurdist comedy follows Ramasamy, a chilli farmer with an uncontrollable sneezing problem who must survive under a tyrannical zamindar who has banned sneezing under penalty of death.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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State of Ohio et al. v. NCAA (2024): A coalition of states challenged the NCAA’s remaining restrictions on transfers, arguing that the adjusted rule still imposed unreasonable restraint on athletes.—
Nick LoMaglio,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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That doesn’t seem like an unreasonable body count for someone who’s about to default on his mortgage — someone who’s already suffered the indignity of being forced to cancel his family’s Netflix account.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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