Synonyms

capricious

American

[kuh-prish-uhs, -pree-shuhs] / kəˈprɪʃ əs, -ˈpri ʃəs /

adjective

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
Obsolete. fanciful or witty.

capricious British

/ kəˈprɪʃəs /

adjective

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

Related Words

See fickle.

Other Word Forms

capriciously adverb
capriciousness noun
noncapricious adjective
noncapriciously adverb
uncapricious adjective
uncapriciously adverb

Etymology

Origin of capricious

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are many cases, in the arbitrary, capricious death penalty system, where clemency is appropriate.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

The venture's legal brief described the suspension order as "arbitrary and capricious."

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

What will June bring at the venerable but capricious Long Island venue?

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Such arrests appear arbitrary and capricious, and are unlikely to survive scrutiny by the courts, Judge Pitts ruled Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

The shift in shade is no doubt an attempt to stay abreast of the capricious fashion trends of the Capitol.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023