arbitrary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s a quintessential example of an agency action that’s unlawfully arbitrary and capricious.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

“Bad years for the S&P 500 are due to very specific factors, not just bad luck or arbitrary changes in investor sentiment,” said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek, in commentary shared with MarketWatch on Tuesday.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

She has been extremely active in denouncing corruption, illegalities, arbitrary actions by the authorities, and human rights violations.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

In it he argued that the large economic models then dominant rested on assumptions so arbitrary they were, in his word, “incredible.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

It would never have occurred to them that they could be persuaded to reach a conclusion by something so arbitrary and seemingly insignificant as a smile or a nod from a newscaster.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell