1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impulsive
prone to sudden illogical changes of mind, ideas, or actions
a capricious woman who changed her mind dozens of times about what color to paint the bathroom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of capricious
However, a blanket policy abdicating any enforcement responsibility could be challenged in lawsuits as arbitrary and capricious.
—
Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
This has been alternatively framed by Coca-Cola as an estoppel-like claim, a constitutional violation, an arbitrary and capricious agency action, or all of the above.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The administration’s unpredictability regarding tariffs and trade policies, which is described as ‘capricious and uncertain bullying,’ poses significant challenges for businesses trying to make long-term workforce investments.
—Solange Charas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
People were habituated to constant surveillance and capricious punishments.
—Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
This has been alternatively framed by Coca-Cola as an estoppel-like claim, a constitutional violation, an arbitrary and capricious agency action, or all of the above.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The administration’s unpredictability regarding tariffs and trade policies, which is described as ‘capricious and uncertain bullying,’ poses significant challenges for businesses trying to make long-term workforce investments.
—Solange Charas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
People were habituated to constant surveillance and capricious punishments.
—Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capricious
Adjective
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Relievers have always been volatile, prone to inconsistency and bouts of wildness.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Mitch McConnell Breaks with Trump by Blasting Global Tariff Plan: 'Trade Wars Hurt Working People Most' While stocks are volatile, experts advise relying on stable cash investments, which will be able to mitigate the years after retirement when people may need to dip into savings.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Clients who check their investments frequently tend to experience more anxiety and are more likely to make impulsive changes.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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In Trump's impulsive first term, Waltz might've been fired.—
Marc Caputo,
Axios,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Fittingly, given the unpredictable nature of the campaign, who knows what the result or circumstances will be at Tottenham Hotspur on the day Hurzeler’s first season draws to a close?—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Probably Not Complicating matters is that Trump’s trade policy is unpredictable.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Ballad of Wallis Island sees Key play Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of reuniting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer, a duo played by Basden and Promising Young Woman's Carey Mulligan, for a private show.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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He’s invited her along on a business trip, to the wilderness retreat of eccentric zillionaire Odell (Richard E. Grant), the head of a hugely lucrative pharmaceuticals company.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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His current form may be inconsistent at best, but Finau believes the best results of his career are still ahead of him.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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But without a strong messaging foundation, those pieces can feel scattered, inconsistent, or even contradictory.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This unstable dwelling, with its crumbling walls and lack of proper bedrooms for the children, comes to stand for a far more sinister lack of boundaries.—
Leslie Camhi,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
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If someone is making credible threats or is mentally unstable, existing laws already allow for arrests, mental health evaluations, and emergency detentions—all of which come with constitutional safeguards.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Capricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capricious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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