Definitions
- Describing a decision or action made without reason or logic. - Referring to something that is based on personal preference or whim. - Talking about a choice or rule that is not based on any specific criteria or standard.
- Describing someone or something that changes their mind or behavior unpredictably. - Referring to a person who acts on sudden impulses or whims. - Talking about a decision or action that is influenced by momentary desires or fancies.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe actions or decisions that lack consistency or predictability.
- 2Both words suggest a sense of randomness or unpredictability.
- 3Both words imply that there is no clear or logical basis for the action or decision.
What is the difference?
- 1Meaning: Arbitrary refers to something done without reason or logic, while capricious suggests a tendency to change one's mind or behavior unpredictably.
- 2Nature: Arbitrary implies a lack of rules or standards, while capricious implies acting on sudden whims or fancies.
- 3Focus: Arbitrary emphasizes the absence of a clear basis or criteria, while capricious focuses on the unpredictability of someone's actions or decisions.
- 4Usage: Arbitrary is more commonly used in formal or legal contexts, while capricious is often used in informal or everyday language.
- 5Connotation: Arbitrary has a more neutral connotation, while capricious can sometimes carry a negative connotation of being unreliable or inconsistent.
Remember this!
Arbitrary and capricious are synonyms that describe actions or decisions lacking consistency or predictability. However, the difference lies in their meaning and focus. Arbitrary refers to something done without reason or logic, often without clear rules or standards. On the other hand, capricious suggests a tendency to change one's mind or behavior unpredictably, often driven by sudden whims or fancies.
