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 Keeping a dog leashed in bear country is not an arbitrary rule designed to ruin anyone’s fun. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 The report also examined whether models could achieve arbitrary code execution (ACE)—a high-severity exploit outcome that allows attackers to take control of a target system. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 The goal isn’t to hit an arbitrary number of bedrooms filled, but to create an environment where everyone can thrive. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 25 July 2026 This visual zoom-in on a specific area of the body was therefore never entirely arbitrary or random. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbitrary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrary

Adjective

Perhaps in the arrogant belief that a war with Iran would quickly end in a decisive victory, the Pentagon did not have cost-effective systems ready to intercept these weapons.

— Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Nick Aldis’ wife Mickie James was ringside, where she was taunted by an arrogant Gunther.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Those reactions can look like freak weather, but the judgment underneath them isn’t random.

— ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In partnership with research firm ETC Institute, the city also mailed surveys to a random sample of at least 500 households across Elgin.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

This stretch of eastern Long Island has long been a respite for New Yorkers seeking a seaside reprieve from the oppressive heat.

— Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Alongside health advice, state media has repeatedly returned to a familiar propaganda theme — Kim’s willingness to endure the same oppressive weather faced by ordinary North Koreans.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

The current administration filed its latest tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which states the president can enact levies against other nations in response to their unfair trade practices, The New York Times reported.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
This week wasn’t a total loss for SerpApi and Perplexity AI, which did manage to get Reddit’s unjust enrichment and unfair competition claims tossed, since they were both preempted by the Copyright Act.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of unfair

Adjective

Reliable polling remains scarce under the country’s authoritarian system.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
And both men, despite misgivings among parts of their own populations about their corrupt and authoritarian tendencies, were largely welcomed in the West as reformers and promising economic partners.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

Because the measures in the judge's order are specific to users in New Mexico, experts say piecemeal rulings and inconsistent legislation at the state level could create a new crop of issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
The two regular season games against Chicago provided a microcosm of Nixon’s inconsistent season.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of inconsistent

Adjective

Ayatollah Khomeini portrayed the shah as the tyrannical Yazid and himself as a Husayn-like figure returning from exile to save the Iranian people from injustice.

— Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
The Hawaiians viewed the new rules as tyrannical; those with the disease were wont to hide in the hills of the islands, forever on the run.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Definition of tyrannical

Browse Nearby Words

arbitrariness

arbitrary

arbitrate

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“Arbitrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrary. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of arbitrary

adjective

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