What is another word for arbitrary?

Synonyms for arbitrary
ˈɑr bɪˌtrɛr iar·bi·tra·ry

This thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word arbitrary.

English Synonyms and Antonyms2.0 / 2 votes

  1. arbitrary

    In the strict sense, absolute, free from all limitation or control, and supreme, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of human authorities; absolute then signifying free from limitation by other authority, and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. Absolute, in this use, does not necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as absolute power in human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates. Autocratic power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; arbitrary power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, arbitrary carrying the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in a good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding. Irresponsible power is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee should not be irresponsible; an irresponsible ruler is likely to be tyrannical. A perfect ruler might be irresponsible and not tyrannical. Authoritative is used always in a good sense, implying the right to claim authority; imperative, peremptory, and positive are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an authoritative definition; an imperative demand; a peremptory command; positive instructions; imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

    Synonyms:
    absolute, arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, coercive, commanding, compulsive, compulsory, controlling, despotic, dictatorial, dogmatic, domineering, exacting, haughty, imperative, imperious, irresponsible, lordly, overbearing, peremptory, positive, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal

    Antonyms:
    accountable, complaisant, compliant, conditional, constitutional, contingent, docile, ductile, gentle, humble, lenient, limited, lowly, meek, mild, responsible, submissive, yielding

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms3.0 / 2 votes

  1. arbitrary

    Synonyms:
    tyrannical, harsh, dictatorial, imperious, bearing, overbearing, selfish, absolute, irresponsible, tyrannous, domineering, peremptory

    Antonyms:
    mild, modest, lenient, considerate, obliging, limited, equitable, constitutional

Princeton's WordNet4.0 / 1 vote

  1. arbitraryadjective

    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice

    "an arbitrary decision"; "the arbitrary rule of a dictator"; "an arbitrary penalty"; "of arbitrary size and shape"; "an arbitrary choice"; "arbitrary division of the group into halves"

    Antonyms:
    unarbitrary, nonarbitrary, prescribed

Dictionary of English Synonymes5.0 / 1 vote

  1. arbitraryadjective

    Synonyms:
    irresponsible, absolute, tyrannical, tyrannous, imperious, domineering, bound by no law

  2. arbitraryadjective

    Synonyms:
    optional, voluntary, determined by no rule or principle

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words0.0 / 0 votes

  1. arbitraryadjective

    Synonyms:
    tyrannical, absolute, imperious, unrestrained, dictatorial

How to pronounce arbitrary?

How to say arbitrary in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

rankingword
#1467positive
#1866random
#3424supreme
#4304absolute
#5920bearing
#6967controlling
#8512arbitrary
#11437harsh
#11526compulsory
#13365abusive
#14966imperative
#15906authoritative
#18281selfish
#18362commanding
#21321unconditional
#21751arrogant
#21957compulsive
#24231irresponsible
#24981arbitrarily
#37633coercive
#39188exacting
#39191wanton
#45715capricious
#46809dogmatic
#47283unequivocal
#47599indiscriminate
#53063haughty
#58403tyrannical
#61448dictatorial
#64264overbearing
#64686autocratic
#71468despotic
#73290peremptory
#88982imperious
#90152domineering
#96025arbitrariness
#128829lordly
#275857tyrannous

How to use arbitrary in a sentence?

  1. Phil Ting:

    Limiting it to only those on ventilators is arbitrary and not based on medical science, public safety is not improved by taking such an unnecessarily narrow view of this policy.

  2. Geoffrey Duke:

    More weapons will mean more fuel to the fire, more attacks on civilians, arbitrary killings, rape, burnings and pillage.

  3. Agnes Callamard:

    I remind Bahrain that the only thing that distinguishes capital punishment from an arbitrary execution is full respect for the most stringent due process and fair trial guarantees.

  4. Jeffrey Gundlach:

    What else do you need to call it an inversion? everyone is parsing all of these little arbitrary things. But we've got an inversion.

  5. Sunai Phasuk:

    The idea is very disturbing, given Thai authorities' reckless and arbitrary use of security charges, steps will have to be established to prevent the misuse of surveillance.


Translations for arbitrary

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for arbitrary »

Translation

Find a translation for the arbitrary synonym in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add these synonyms to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"arbitrary." Synonyms.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.synonyms.com/synonym/arbitrary>.

Discuss these arbitrary synonyms with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good synonym for arbitrary?

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant synonyms for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant synonyms for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Synonyms.com

    Quiz

    Are you a human thesaurus?

    »
    This word is not a synonym of "Ample".
    A Capacious
    B Commodious
    C Generous
    D Poky

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for arbitrary: