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 But there are lots of people who work in higher dimension, especially algebraic topology tends to be higher arbitrary dimension. — Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 All of these updates address the creation of malicious files that could lead to arbitrary code execution, Apple says. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic’s argument that the Department of Defense’s ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Instead of the process using an arbitrary random number generator for next-word selection, the watermarking uses a secret key. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbitrary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary

Adjective

Wright was known to be arrogant, and his self-importance is on full display here.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
Georg, an unemployed auto mechanic, comes across as an arrogant jock.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Belting out random songs while delivering high-level physical comedy and acting takes skill.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Furthermore, the whiskers are in front, preventing the drone from detecting sideways obstacles like random jagged branches in a forest.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

Resident's death under investigation The Middlesex County District Attorney's office, as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are examining whether the oppressive heat played any role in the resident's death.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

International rights groups have repeatedly criticized the detention and, in some cases, execution of people after unfair trials.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Murmurs about the power of politicians and unfair advantages of the rich were heard as participants warmed up to each other.

— Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfair

Adjective

El Sistema was founded decades before Hugo Chavez came to power in a populist revolution that quickly turned authoritarian.

— Max Feliu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

More problematic was the character’s heritage; he’s supposed to be half-English and half-Paraguayan, and to say Gere’s accent is inconsistent would be charitable.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
The Packers have been inconsistent but should be able to handle their business at home.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 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
Domingo played the tyrannical show-biz patriarch Joe Jackson in the movie.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of tyrannical

Browse Nearby Words

arbitrariness

arbitrary

arbitrate

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Style

“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of arbitrary

adjective

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