capriciously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'capriciously' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to act impulsively or without a clear reason or purpose. An example sentence could be: "She capriciously changed her plans for the weekend, leaving her friends confused and frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He made the perilous journey south, drawn by the dream of living in a country governed by Nelson Mandela, where the police could not capriciously lock people up and where those thought to be dissidents did not simply disappear.

The Economist

"This is not something you would do capriciously," Mr Gingrich cautioned, in perhaps his first-ever understatement.

The Economist

The vote was won, but with the proviso that Congress can withdraw from the WTO if it thinks the organisation is exceeding its authority or acting "arbitrarily or capriciously".America's economy now has greater links with the rest of the world: exports and imports were together equivalent to 25% of GDP in 1997, up from 21% in 1993 and 17% in 1985 (see chart 3).

The Economist

Sometimes monarchs capriciously granted indefinite exclusive rights to someone they favoured.

The Economist

By contrast, the clan-based regimes of Libya, Yemen and Syria are hardened by a ruthless, loyal core and ringed by elaborately layered security services designed to keep each other in check and to neutralise threats by remaining shadowy and capriciously vicious.

The Economist

The Crimea was part of Russia until as recently as 1954, when Khrushchev capriciously transferred it to Ukraine.

The Economist

But when the troops left some southern states began to pass barriers, such as capriciously enforced literacy tests designed to keep blacks from voting.

The Economist

It is also a myth, the authors show, that donors always give less than they promise: they are both capriciously generous, as well as capriciously stingy.

The Economist

But after the 2005 election, he is capriciously fired by Mr Blair on the ground that room must be found for new faces.

The Economist

An American inventor knows she can build a profitable company without risk that the government will capriciously steal it and her wealth and throw her in prison.

The Economist

He also made a small but welcome change to India's labour laws, making it harder for 1,800 of the government inspectors who check up on labour standards to act capriciously.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or administrative contexts, "capriciously" often implies a violation of due process, suggesting decisions are made without regard to established rules or fairness.

Common error

While both words suggest unpredictability, "capriciously" often carries a stronger connotation of unreasonableness or even injustice, whereas "whimsically" usually implies a lighter, more playful kind of impulsiveness. Use "whimsically" for playful or fanciful actions, and "capriciously" when the lack of reason is more serious or has negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

"Capriciously" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is done in an unpredictable, impulsive, and seemingly random manner. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capriciously" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions taken without apparent reason or logic. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse sources, from news and media to encyclopedias. Its primary function is to convey unpredictability and a lack of justification in decision-making. While synonymous with terms like "arbitrarily" and "impulsively", "capriciously" often carries a stronger negative connotation. When writing, remember to reserve "capriciously" for situations where actions not only lack predictability but also carry a sense of unreasonableness or injustice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictably

Directly states the lack of predictability in the behavior.

without reason

A straightforward way of saying there is no discernible cause.

arbitrarily

Emphasizes a decision made without any specific reason or system.

randomly

Implies a lack of pattern or intention in the action.

impulsively

Focuses on acting on a sudden urge without careful consideration.

unaccountably

Stresses the lack of a clear explanation for the action.

whimsically

Suggests acting in a playful, lighthearted, and unpredictable manner.

erratically

Highlights the irregular and unpredictable nature of the action.

fickly

Indicates a tendency to change one's mind or loyalties without reason.

changeably

Highlights the tendency to vary or alter frequently.

FAQs

How can I use "capriciously" in a sentence?

You can use "capriciously" to describe actions done without apparent reason or logic. For example, "The manager "capriciously" changed the project deadlines, causing confusion among the team members."

What's a simple synonym for "capriciously"?

A simple synonym for "capriciously" is "arbitrarily". Both words mean doing something without a clear reason or system.

What is the difference between "capriciously" and "arbitrarily"?

"Capriciously" implies more of a whimsical or impulsive decision, whereas "arbitrarily" suggests a decision based on random choice or personal whim, often without considering facts or reasons.

Can "capriciously" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "capriciously" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and effectively describes actions that lack reasonable justification, making it suitable for legal, academic, and professional contexts.