arbitrary

/ˈɑːbɪtrəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːrbɪtreri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈär-bə-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē/ (ame, mw)

arbitrary — adjective

1. chosen or arranged without a clear rule, good reason, or careful method, so it m

1.形容詞C2
釋義

chosen or arranged without a clear rule, good reason, or careful method, so it may feel random.

例句

The ticket system felt arbitrary, and nobody knew why row seven cost more.

linking verb: feel arbitrary

An arbitrary deadline moved the school project two days earlier.

before noun: arbitrary deadline

同義詞
  • random

    stresses lack of pattern, and does not always suggest a human decision

  • baseless

    focuses on a lack of evidence, especially for claims or beliefs

  • capricious

    is stronger and suggests sudden choices driven by mood or whim

  • haphazard

    stresses disorder or lack of method in the way something is done

反義詞
  • reasoned

    shows that thought and judgment support the choice

  • systematic

    stresses an ordered method or plan

  • justified

    focuses on having a good reason that can be explained

文法句型

an arbitrary decision

an arbitrary limit

seem arbitrary

choose something arbitrarily

用法筆記

Usually describes decisions, limits, dates, rankings, or categories created without a clear system. Unlike adjective/2, it does not by itself mean someone is misusing power, though the result may still seem unfair.

常見錯誤

❌An arbitrary man stopped me on the street.
✅A random man stopped me on the street.
💡arbitrary usually describes choices, numbers, or rules, not an unknown person.
❌The storm damaged houses in an arbitrary way.
✅The storm damaged houses at random.
💡arbitrary often suggests a human choice or system with no clear basis.

2. showing that a person or authority acts only by personal will and ignores other

2.形容詞C2
釋義

showing that a person or authority acts only by personal will and ignores other people's rights, views, or fair treatment.

例句

Villagers feared the governor's arbitrary orders after the protest.

common with authority nouns

An arbitrary boss cut Yael's pay without hearing her side.

arbitrary + person in power

同義詞
  • authoritarian

    stresses demanding obedience and controlling people from the top

  • high-handed

    suggests rude, overconfident use of power in everyday situations

  • despotic

    is stronger and is often used for harsh political rule

  • autocratic

    focuses on power concentrated in one ruler or decision-maker

反義詞
  • fair

    means people are treated justly and by the same standard

  • lawful

    focuses on acting within legal limits

  • restrained

    suggests power is limited or carefully controlled

文法句型

arbitrary power

arbitrary rule

arbitrary arrest

an arbitrary ruler

用法筆記

Most often used for rulers, officials, police, bosses, laws, or arrests. Distinguish from adjective/1: here the focus is abuse of power, not simply a choice with no clear reason.

常見錯誤

❌Our math teacher is arbitrary because homework is checked every day.
✅Our math teacher is strict because homework is checked every day.
💡arbitrary means using power unfairly by personal will, not simply enforcing rules firmly.