be 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.

He told BBC Scotland News he had concerns that it could be arbitrary, inflexible and in some cases "very difficult to establish with any great degree of certainty".

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Experts say raising awareness and changing policy around things like expiration dates on food packaging, which can be arbitrary, would help, too.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2023

However, the panel found that the FDA’s subsequent ease of restrictions was likely to be arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedures Act, preliminarily enjoining those later FDA decisions.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2023

Even that date may be arbitrary, but by the late fifth century, traditional Roman authority had ceased to be the basis of political power in much of western Europe.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

P.’s omission of the sacrifice at the close seems to be arbitrary.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 10 "David, St" to "Demidov" by Various