arbitrary
ˈɑrbɪˌtrɛri
Definition Synonyms

Definition of arbitrary - Reverso English Dictionary

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Adjective

1.
choicebased on random choice or personal whim
  • The decision to pick a card was completely arbitrary..
capricious random whimsical
2.
mathematicsTECH.any, out of all possible choicesTECH.
  • Choose an arbitrary number from the set.
capricious random
3.
governmentdespotic or dictatorial in nature
  • The arbitrary rule was oppressive.
autocratic tyrannical
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Expressions with arbitrary

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quality of being based on personal choice or random decision
They criticized the arbitrary nature of the new grading policy.
control used through personal choice instead of clear rules or laws
The constitution was written to protect citizens from arbitrary power.
imprisonment ordered without fair legal reason or proper court process
The report documented cases of arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters.
having no fixed size or limit
The array can be of arbitrary size.
non-standard unit for comparing measurements
The results are expressed in arbitrary units.

Origin of arbitrary

Latin, arbiter (judge)

Terms with arbitrary included in their meaning

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randomadj.
arbitrary
selected for no particular reason
tyrannical rule
exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way
politics
exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way
communication
arbitrary assertion or claim
employment
protection against arbitrary job dismissal
random choice
way to make a random or arbitrary choice
computer science
making arbitrary choices between indistinguishable possibilities
physics
independent of arbitrary units

Examples of arbitrary in a sentence

  • The rules appeared arbitrary and unfair.
  • Select an arbitrary point on the graph.
  • An arbitrary function can be used in this equation.
  • The arbitrary decisions of the leader caused unrest.
  • Citizens feared the arbitrary actions of the regime.

View all translations of arbitrary

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:arbitraire, despotique, ...
  2. German:willkürlich, despotisch, ...
  3. Italian:arbitrario, qualsiasi, ...
  4. Spanish:arbitrario, cualquiera, ...
  5. Portuguese:aleatório, qualquer, ...
  6. Chinese:随机的, 随意的, ...
  7. Japanese:任意の, ランダムな, ...
  8. Arabic:اِعْتِباطِي, أَيّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:שְׂרִירוּתִי, שְׂרִירוּתִי, ...
  10. Russian:случайный, деспотичный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:випадковий, будь-який, ...
  12. Hindi:मनमाना, कोई भी, ...
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