Arbitrariness

ar·bi·trar·y  (ärb-trr)

adj.

1. Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle: stopped at the first motel we passed, an arbitrary choice.

2. Based on or subject to individual judgment or preference: The diet imposes overall calorie limits, but daily menus are arbitrary.

3. Established by a court or judge rather than by a specific law or statute: an arbitrary penalty.

4. Not limited by law; despotic: the arbitrary rule of a dictator.

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[Middle English arbitrarie, from Latin arbitrrius, from arbiter, arbitr-, arbiter; see arbiter.]

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arbi·trari·ly (-trâr-l) adv.

arbi·trari·ness n.

Synonyms: arbitrary, capricious, whimsical
These adjectives mean determined by or arising from whim or caprice rather than judgment or reason: an arbitrary decision; a capricious refusal; a whimsical remark.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

arbitrariness - the trait of acting unpredictably and more from whim or caprice than from reason or judgment; "I despair at the flightiness and whimsicality of my memory" flightiness, whimsicality, whimsy, whimsey, capriciousness irresponsibility, irresponsibleness - a form of untrustworthiness; the trait of lacking a sense of responsibility and not feeling accountable for your actions