arbitrary
ar•bi•trary
BrE /ˈɑːbɪtrəri/
BrE /ˈɑːbɪtri/
NAmE /ˈɑːrbətreri/
adjective
word origin
The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary.
He makes unpredictable, arbitrary decisions. 2 (formal) using power without restriction and without considering other people
the arbitrary powers of officials
ar•bi•trar•ily
/BrE
ˌɑːbɪˈtrerəli;
ˈɑːbɪtrəli; NAmE
ˌɑːrbəˈtrerəli/ adverb
The leaders of the groups were chosen arbitrarily.
The political frontiers in Africa were often arbitrarily drawn up by the old colonial powers. ar•bi•trari•ness
/BrE
ˈɑːbɪtrərinəs;
ˈɑːbɪtrinəs; NAmE
ˈɑːrbətrerinəs/ noun [uncountable]
Court officials were suspected of arbitrariness and personal bias.
