Pronunciation

/ˈærɪb.ər.ri/

Definitions

Noun

• Arbitrary: Designated or determined without fixed or rule-based principles; capricious or haphazard. Example: “The teacher’s grading system was arbitrary, leading to confusion among students.”

Verb

• To make decisions or establish rules in an arbitrary manner. Example: “The company’s management decided to change the work schedule arbitrarily.”

Adjective

• Characterized by randomness or lack of clear reasoning or logic. Example: “The law allows for arbitrary detention of suspects.”

Phrases

• “Acting arbitrarily” means making decisions without a clear reason or structure.
• “An arbitrary choice” refers to a selection made without a specific criteria.
• “An arbitrary limit” is a restriction imposed without a logical basis.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “His punishments were often arbitrary, leaving students unsure what they had done wrong.”
• Verb: “The government’s decision to impose martial law was arbitrary and unsettling.”
• Adjective: “The tax rates can seem arbitrary to small business owners.”

Synonyms

• Capricious
• Haphazard
• Unpredictable
• Spontaneous
• Discretionary

Antonyms

• Systematic
• Rational
• Consistent
• Determined
• Fixed