arbitrary

What does “arbitrary” mean?

adjective.based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in contexts discussing decision-making, rules, or authority, usually highlighting a lack of fairness or rationality in those choices. It emphasizes the randomness or subjectivity involved, distinguishing it from terms like "capricious," which suggests unpredictability but often carries a more whimsical connotation.

Common Confusions

Arbitrary implies decisions made without a logical basis, while capricious usually suggests whimsical or unpredictable behavior that may still have a certain charm or lightness.

Example Sentences

• Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary.

• The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.

• The arbitrary decision to change the rules frustrated many participants.

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