Synonyms for

Arbitrarily

Verb / ˈɑ:rbɪˌtrerʌli: / Another word for arbitrarily — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

in a way that is not based on reason or evidence

Synonyms & similar words

haphazardly everywhichway willynilly indiscriminately randomly atrandom randomly capriciously haphazardly unpredictably subjectively irrationally unreasonably inconsistently unfairly wilfully whimsically illiberally despotically autocratically dictatorially tyrannically absolutistically authoritarianly domineeringly imperiously

Synonyms by register

Formal

capriciously randomly haphazardly discretionarily

Informal

willy-nilly any old how on a whim

Literary

desultorily erratically

Antonyms

purposefully intentionally deliberately methodically systematically rationally logically

Common collocations

  • chosen arbitrarily
  • selected arbitrarily
  • decided arbitrarily
  • assigned arbitrarily
  • occurred arbitrarily
  • acted arbitrarily
  • based arbitrarily on
  • determined arbitrarily

Word family

noun arbitrariness
verb arbitrate
adjective arbitrary

Usage note

Often implies a lack of reason or justification. Can sometimes be used neutrally to mean 'at random' or 'by choice'.

Example sentences

  1. The judge made an arbitrarily decision without considering the evidence.
  2. The coach arbitrarily benched the star player without any explanation.
  3. The company's dress code policy seemed arbitrarily strict.
  4. The teacher's grading system seemed arbitrarily harsh.
  5. The government's decision was made arbitrarily and caused controversy among the citizens.

Quotes

  • In a world where there is so much randomness and arbitrariness, maybe running is the only thing that makes sense.
  • In a world of chance and uncertainty, what will happen to all our dreams? It's only because of their precariousness that our dreams seem so meaningful.
  • The rules are arbitrary, the fences are arbitrary, the decisions are arbitrary. But I do it because it's not arbitrary to run. There's a reason to run. The reason is because I like it, I love it.

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