ARBITRARY Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

arbitrary

adjective

ˈär-bə-ˌtrer-ē

Definition of arbitrary

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

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

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

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 arbitrary The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic's argument that the Department of Defense's ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 But labor campaigners said in the statement that their wage demand wasn’t arbitrary. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 The initiative has not yet produced a universal virtual cell capable of accurately predicting arbitrary biological responses. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 Its rules about transfers and conference membership seem arbitrary and deferential to the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences, college football's most influential. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbitrary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary

Adjective

Ever-sensible Elinor, who never asks for much, has already met, and fallen for, Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), Fanny’s brother, as kind and modest as Fanny is arrogant.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Hal and Kate, having misread Trowbridge’s shock and dismay at the tragic death of Austin Dennison as a worse-than-usual bit of arrogant posturing, switch to Bad Cop mode.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

The audit, released Monday, identified a host of issues, including regulators’ failure to meet regular inspection schedules or to conduct sufficient random checks at dispensaries for contaminated products.

— Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
There is nothing truly random about whether a coin comes up heads or tails.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

Thomas shocks Vision back to life, but this somehow alerts Butcherbird; Vision’s mindscape fills with oppressive red lighting, ominously circling birds, and TVs crackling with static.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
The tropical sun was oppressive, but company representatives were prepared with orange parasols, each with a dedicated barcode.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

Some also called for a reform of the university admissions system, seen by many as complex and unfair.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Trump has imposed new tariffs on Brazilian goods this year, including a 25% levy on some products over what the US described as unfair trade practices.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfair

Adjective

The case centers on the Cuban government shooting down two Brothers to the Rescue flights, a civilian rescue group dedicated to saving refugees fleeing the authoritarian Castro regime — then run by Raul Castro’s older brother Fidel.

— Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
The former authoritarian president is eyeing a return as prime minister after the Sunday vote.

— Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

This time around, both teams are coming in after inconsistent regular seasons, but both have been much better over the last five weeks.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The association with the Human Rights Campaign could create more confusion about Talarico’s stance on the medical issue, as his position has come into question through his inconsistent comments.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of inconsistent

Adjective

Putting your face on the passport, like forcing your name onto another President’s memorial, is a symptom of tyrannical egotism, exactly opposite to the republican premise.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Like Lorca’s title monster, this Alba is a towering tyrannical figure.

— Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tyrannical

Browse Nearby Words

arbitrariness

arbitrary

arbitrate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of arbitrary

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes