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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective capricious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capricious are fickle, inconstant, mercurial, and unstable. While all these words mean "lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion)," capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability.

an utterly capricious critic

When can fickle be used instead of capricious?

In some situations, the words fickle and capricious are roughly equivalent. However, fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness.

performers discover how fickle fans can be

Where would inconstant be a reasonable alternative to capricious?

Although the words inconstant and capricious have much in common, inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change.

an inconstant friend

When could mercurial be used to replace capricious?

The meanings of mercurial and capricious largely overlap; however, mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood.

made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament

When might unstable be a better fit than capricious?

While the synonyms unstable and capricious are close in meaning, unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance.

too unstable to hold a job

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of capricious His relationships are based on power and transactional dealmaking but are also subject to his fickle and capricious nature. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025 The unapologetic promotion of wholesomeness in our culture must replace the capricious, self destructive impulses that have now taken hold. Scott Liftman, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025 The report is a master class in arbitrary and capricious decision-making applied to science. ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2025 Yet, this deal remains fragile in the context of capricious tariffs and a dysfunctional dispute resolution system within the World Trade Organization. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
  • CEOs who recognize the strategic importance of cybersecurity will not only protect their organizations from financial and reputational damage but also gain a competitive edge in an increasingly volatile digital landscape.
    Francis Dinha, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Nationally, the president’s tariffs have been accompanied by the highest egg prices the country has ever seen and a volatile stock market captive to erratic moves such as firing government statisticians.
    Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Acting swiftly is essential but avoid impulsive decisions.
    Raymond Umerley, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • His impulsive diplomacy and disregard for allies make a sustainable peace unlikely.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Enjoy the unpredictable and the unknown, which is where wonder and curiosity and adventure unfold.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • But humanitarian logistics operates in far more volatile and unpredictable environments.
    Cynthia Tully, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Set during the night shift of a Manhattan court, the nine-season comedy starred Harry Anderson as eccentric judge Harry T. Stone, who presided over frequently bizarre cases.
    Dan Heching, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The Timothy Spall-starring mystery series follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel (Spall) and socially obtuse Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.
    Jordan Kisner Jack Davison, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2022
  • Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Although the emergency warning was reduced to a less urgent heavy rain warning on Monday afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the soil had become unstable due to the precipitation, leaving the region at an elevated risk of landslides even without excessive rain.
    Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025
  • People have been urged to avoid entering possibly unstable buildings as aftershocks continued to shake the area, according to the Times.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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