arbitrarily
Based on whim
Arbitrarily means based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason or system.
A decision made arbitrarily lacks clear justification: The rules seemed arbitrarily enforced.
In mathematics and logic, arbitrarily describes a value chosen without restriction: Pick an arbitrarily large number.
The word often carries a negative connotation of unfairness or capriciousness.
Without deliberate selection
- haphazardlyWithout order or plan
- unpredictablyWithout foreseeable pattern
- indiscriminatelyWithout making distinctions
- unsystematicallyWithout organized method
aimlessly · erratically · sporadically · stochastically · incidentally · accidentally · fortuitously · serendipitously
In domineering manner
- despoticallyRuling with absolute power
- tyrannicallyIn oppressive, absolute manner
- imperiouslyIn overbearing manner
- domineeringlyIn an overbearing manner
high-handedly · peremptorily · unilaterally · absolutely · summarily · by decree · coercively · oppressively
In capricious, playful manner
- capriciouslyIn unpredictable fashion
- impulsivelyWithout prior deliberation
- unreasonablyBeyond logical limits
- irrationallyWithout sound reasoning
groundlessly · baselessly · without cause · unpredictably · erratically · flightily · frivolously · fancifully
Without legitimate cause
- unfairlyWithout proper justice
- inequitablyIn an unequal manner
- partiallyTo an incomplete extent
- unequallyNot in equal measure
prejudicially · one-sidedly · unevenly · lopsidedly · partisan · skewed · slanted · unbalanced
randomly
Without deliberate selection
- haphazardlyWithout order or plan
- unpredictablyWithout foreseeable pattern
- indiscriminatelyWithout making distinctions
unsystematically · aimlessly · erratically · sporadically · stochastically · incidentally · accidentally · fortuitously · serendipitously · coincidentally
dictatorially
In domineering manner
- despoticallyRuling with absolute power
- tyrannicallyIn oppressive, absolute manner
- imperiouslyIn overbearing manner
domineeringly · high-handedly · peremptorily · unilaterally · absolutely · summarily · by decree · coercively · oppressively · unaccountably
whimsically
In capricious, playful manner
- capriciouslyIn unpredictable fashion
- impulsivelyWithout prior deliberation
- unreasonablyBeyond logical limits
irrationally · groundlessly · baselessly · without cause · unpredictably · erratically · flightily · frivolously · fancifully · on a whim
unjustly
Without legitimate cause
- unfairlyWithout proper justice
- inequitablyIn an unequal manner
- partiallyTo an incomplete extent
unequally · prejudicially · one-sidedly · unevenly · lopsidedly · partisan · skewed · slanted · unbalanced · favoritism
- -ly adverbsaccidentally, randomly, unexpectedly, luckily, fortunately
arbitrarilysystematically
In organized, planned fashion
methodically · by design · according to plan · procedurally · formulaically
arbitrarilyrationally
In a logical manner
logically · reasonably · justifiably · on principle · legitimately
arbitrarilydeliberately
Done with intention
thoughtfully · carefully · cautiously · considerately · circumspectly
arbitrary, arbiter, arbitration, arbitrate, arbitrator, arbitrated, arbitrating