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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal

These actions, according to the lawsuit, were “ arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, not in accordance with law, and therefore invalid under the Administrative Procedure Act.”

From Salon

The deal, she said, likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act’s prohibition on government agencies from acting in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner, and didn’t comply with requirements in the Internal Revenue Code.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The CFTC’s characterization of political contests, awards contests, and sporting events as forms of ‘gaming’ is arbitrary and capricious,” the letter said.

From Barron's

Instead, the narration jumps forward, flashes back and stalls, for brief periods, in the capricious memory of the narrator, John Dowell.

From The Wall Street Journal

capricious

Example Sentences

Related Words