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

Even people with legal status are wary, Gordo said, because some of the raids appear to be arbitrary and indiscriminate.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

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

The determination of priority of composition from internal evidence, where there are no chronological references, must as a general rule be arbitrary, and can rarely be accepted as final.

From Supernatural Religion, Vol. II. (of III) An Inquiry into the Reality of Divine Revelation by Cassels, Walter Richard