capricious

[kuh-prish-uhs, -pree-shuhs] / kəˈprɪʃ əs, -ˈpri ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

given to sudden behavior change

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arbitrary careless erratic fickle flighty helter-skelter impulsive quirky temperamental unpredictable unreasonable unstable volatile wayward whimsical

WEAK

any way the wind blows blowing hot and cold changeful contrary crotchety effervescent every which way fanciful fitful flaky freakish gaga humorsome inconstant kinky lubricious mercurial moody mutable notional odd picky punchy ticklish up and down vagarious variable yo-yo

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cautious constant predictable reasonable reliable sensible stable steady thoughtful unchanging

WEAK

dependable staid steadfast

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.

Such arrests appear arbitrary and capricious, and are unlikely to survive scrutiny by the courts, Judge Pitts ruled Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

“What else could defendants’ decisions to cut funding to specific counterterrorism programming by conspicuous round numbered amounts — including by slashing off the millions-place digits of awarded sums — be if not arbitrary and capricious?”

From Salon

The rule, she wrote, is “arbitrary and capricious.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Last week, a federal judge struck down that order, calling it “arbitrary and capricious.”

From Los Angeles Times

In its lawsuit, the company called the adjustments “arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable.”

From The Wall Street Journal

capricious

Example Sentences

Related Words