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View synonyms for capricious

capricious

[ kuh-prish-uhs, -pree-shuhs ]

adjective

  1. subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic:

    He's such a capricious boss I never know how he'll react.

    Synonyms: mercurial, flighty, variable

    Antonyms: consistent, constant, steady

  2. Obsolete. fanciful or witty.


capricious

/ kəˈprɪʃəs /

adjective

  1. characterized by or liable to sudden unpredictable changes in attitude or behaviour; impulsive; fickle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • caˈpriciousness, noun
  • caˈpriciously, adverb
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Other Words From

  • ca·pri·cious·ly adverb
  • ca·pri·cious·ness noun
  • non·ca·pri·cious adjective
  • non·ca·pri·cious·ly adverb
  • un·ca·pri·cious adjective
  • un·ca·pri·cious·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of capricious1

First recorded in 1585–95; from French capricieux, from Italian capriccioso capriccioso
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Synonym Study

See fickle.
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Example Sentences

A denial of FEMA-recommended disaster aid would generate political fury and probably result in a lawsuit on the basis of the decision being arbitrary and capricious, said Garamendi, who sits on the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, which conducts oversight of FEMA.

He wrote, “There is no American tradition of limiting ammunition capacity and the 10-round limit has no historical pedigree and it is arbitrary and capricious. It is extreme.”

From Slate

The parents allege that the disciplinary action was “arbitrary and capricious” and that the school provided no evidence of a policy being violated or of the classmate feeling threatened.

"Any prudent brand considering any Tesla partnership has to take Musk’s massively amplified, highly politicised, capricious and arbitrary behaviour, which sometimes veers into hate speech, into account," it added.

From BBC

The three eldest boys — Joseph, Robert Jr. and David — bore the brunt of their mother’s “capricious temperament,” Leamer wrote.

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capricecapriciousness