Antonyms for arbitrary

Grammar : Adj

Spell : ahr-bi-trer-ee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈɑr bɪˌtrɛr i

Definition of arbitrary

Origin : early 15c., "deciding by one's own discretion," from Old French arbitraire (14c.) or directly from Latin arbitrarius "depending on the will, uncertain," from arbiter (see arbiter). The original meaning gradually descended to "capricious" and "despotic" (1640s). Related: Arbitrarily; arbitrariness.

adj whimsical, chance
adj dictatorial

Example sentences :

Why, she was called in the Institution, Harriet Beadle—an arbitrary name, of course.
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

I wish Society was not so arbitrary, I wish it was not so exacting—Bird, be quiet!'
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

He was arbitrary, but he was not so arbitrary as his instructions.
Extract from : « The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 58, August, 1862 » by Various

It is not an average of freight rates, but is an arbitrary figure.
Extract from : « About sugar buying for Jobbers » by B. W. Dyer

"Justice is altogether an arbitrary, a relative phrase," Wrayson declared.
Extract from : « The Avenger » by E. Phillips Oppenheim

Many of the words were abbreviated, and there were some arbitrary signs.
Extract from : « Beauty and The Beast, and Tales From Home » by Bayard Taylor

Shaddai was no doubt a great prince, but he was an arbitrary despot.
Extract from : « Bunyan » by James Anthony Froude

It is, therefore, arbitrary not to recognize the right of the embryo to live.
Extract from : « The Sexual Question » by August Forel

We see that it follows no arbitrary rules of state or empire.
Extract from : « Mountain Meditations » by L. Lind-af-Hageby

There were certain reasons why he thought it best not to be too arbitrary.
Extract from : « Mary-'Gusta » by Joseph C. Lincoln

Synonyms for arbitrary

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019