arbitrary
Based on whim
Arbitrary has a meaning similar to random but it is often used with a negative connotation.
An arbitrary decision is one made because of personal preference or prejudice.
An arbitrary system is one that probably treats someone unfairly.
Someone held in arbitrary detention by authorities is being held for reasons that others may consider unjustified; in other words, for arbitrary reasons.
In math, arbitrary characterizes an undetermined or unassigned value.
Lacking factual support
- groundlessLacking factual support
- unjustifiedLacking adequate reason
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- unsupportedLacking backing or proof
unreasoned · irrational · unmotivated · gratuitous · random · purposeless · reasonless · inexplicable
Playfully fanciful or erratic
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- randomOccurring without pattern
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
erratic · fickle · mercurial · impulsive · spontaneous · inconsistent · unsystematic · irregular
Imposing absolute control
- autocraticRuling with absolute authority
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
domineering · high-handed · unilateral · absolute · draconian · iron-fisted · oppressive · unreasonable
Subject to personal judgment
judgmental · subjective · personal · individual · preferential · chosen · decided · determined
Following accepted practices
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- signMark conveying information
- signifierMeaning-bearing form
referent · language · semiotics · phonological · morphological · lexical · semantic · sociolinguistic
baseless
Lacking factual support
- groundlessLacking factual support
- unjustifiedLacking adequate reason
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
unsupported · unreasoned · irrational · unmotivated · gratuitous · random · purposeless · reasonless · inexplicable · unaccountable
whimsical
Playfully fanciful or erratic
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- randomOccurring without pattern
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
haphazard · erratic · fickle · mercurial · impulsive · spontaneous · inconsistent · unsystematic · irregular · changeable
dictatorial
Imposing absolute control
- autocraticRuling with absolute authority
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
imperious · domineering · high-handed · unilateral · absolute · draconian · iron-fisted · oppressive · unreasonable · unjust
discretionary
Subject to personal judgment
selective · judgmental · subjective · personal · individual · preferential · chosen · decided · determined · appointed
conventional
Following accepted practices
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- signMark conveying information
signifier · referent · language · semiotics · phonological · morphological · lexical · semantic · sociolinguistic · learned
variable
Prone to fluctuation
- parameterBoundary-setting factor
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- placeholderTemporary position marker
assigned · value · number · symbol · chosen · selected · reference · datum · benchmark · baseline
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- chancechance, luck, lottery, dice, randomness
- disorderedchaotic, disorganized, disordered, jumbled, messy
- unreasonableirrational, absurd, illogical, senseless, ludicrous
arbitrarysystematic
Following ordered procedures
methodical · organized · orderly · structured · methodic
arbitraryreasoned
Derived through careful thought
rational · justified · reasonable · well-founded · supported
arbitrarylegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
constitutional · democratic · lawful · law-abiding · accountable
- binding arbitrationLegally enforceable private judgment
- arbitrary detentionConfinement lacking legal grounds
- legal arbitrationPrivate dispute settlement process
- arbitrary arrestSeizure without legal justification
- forced arbitrationRequired private dispute settlement
- mandatory arbitrationRequired private dispute settlement
arbitration, arbitrate, arbitrator, arbitrarily, arbitrated, arbitrates, arbitrariness, arbitrating, arbitral