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1. Dictionary

   Ar·bi·trar·y

   /ˈärbəˌtrerē/

   

   adjective

   • 1. based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system: "his mealtimes were entirely arbitrary" Similar capriciouswhimsicalrandomchanceerraticunpredictableinconsistentwildhit-or-misshaphazardcasualunmotivatedmotivelessunreasonedunreasonableunsupportedirrationalillogicalgroundlessunjustifiableunjustifiedwantondiscretionarypersonalsubjectiverare:discretionalOpposite rationalreasoned
   • ▪ (of power or a ruling body) unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority: "arbitrary rule by King and bishops has been made impossible" Similar despotictyrannicaltyrannousperemptorysummaryautocraticdictatorialauthoritariandraconianautarchicantidemocraticoppressiverepressiveundemocraticilliberalimperiousdomineeringhigh-handedabsoluteuncontrolledunlimitedunrestrainedOpposite democraticaccountable
   • ▪ (of a constant or other quantity) of unspecified value.

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘dependent on one's will or pleasure, discretionary’): from Latin arbitrarius, from arbiter ‘judge, supreme ruler’, perhaps influenced by French arbitraire.

   Scrabble Points: 14

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › arbitraryArbitrary Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › arbitrary

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   The meaning of ARBITRARY is existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will. How to use arbitrary in a sentence.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › arbitraryARBITRARY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › arbitrary

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   subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion: an arbitrary decision. decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute. having unlimited power; uncontrolled or unrestricted by law; despotic; tyrannical: an arbitrary government.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishARBITRARY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   ARBITRARY definition: 1. based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason: 2. using unlimited personal power…. Learn more.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › arbitraryArbitrary - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › arbitrary

   Definitions of arbitrary. adjective. based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice. “an arbitrary decision”. “the arbitrary rule of a dictator”. “an arbitrary penalty”. “of arbitrary size and shape”. “an arbitrary choice”. “ arbitrary division of the group into halves”.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryARBITRARY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   ARBITRARY meaning: 1. based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason: 2. using unlimited personal power…. Learn more.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › arbitraryArbitrary - definition of arbitrary by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › arbitrary

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   1. subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion: an arbitrary decision. 2. decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionarbitrary adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   adjective. /ˈɑːbɪtrəri/, /ˈɑːbɪtri/. /ˈɑːrbɪtreri/. (of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair. The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary. He makes unpredictable, arbitrary decisions. Oxford Collocations Dictionary.

9. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryARBITRARY definition in American English | Collins English...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   1. founded on or subject to personal whims, prejudices, etc; capricious. 2. having only relative application or relevance; not absolute. 3. (of a government, ruler, etc) despotic or dictatorial. 4. mathematics. not representing any specific value. an arbitrary constant.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › arbitraryArbitrary Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › arbitrary

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    Arbitrary definition: Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle.

11. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishARBITRARY | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    ARBITRARY definition: not based on a system or principles and often seeming unfair: . Learn more.