capricious
[kuh-prish-uh s, -pree-shuh s]
- 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.
- Obsolete. fanciful or witty.
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Origin of capricious
Synonyms
See more synonyms for capricious on Thesaurus.com1. variable, flighty, mercurial. See fickle.
Antonyms
1. steady, constant, consistent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for capriciously
Contemporary Examples
And largely unknown groups must never be capriciously favored, however much they might look like the enemy's enemy.
Historical Examples
It was her duty to see to it that she did not use it capriciously, for her own gratification.
All Roads Lead to CalvaryJerome K. Jerome
"I have told you of one fault, now hear another," says she capriciously.
April's LadyMargaret Wolfe Hungerford
He was as capriciously selected as he was capriciously ejected by his friends.
Liverpool a few years sinceJames Aspinall
He is hurt and angry that one of us could be so capriciously unjust to him.
The Wyndam GirlsMarion Ames Taggart
She appeared to him to be pining "capriciously" when she became thin and neurotic.
Married LoveMarie Carmichael Stopes
capricious
- characterized by or liable to sudden unpredictable changes in attitude or behaviour; impulsive; fickle
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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
Word Origin and History for capriciously
capricious
adj.
1590s, from French capricieux "whimsical" (16c.), from Italian capriccioso, from capriccio (see caprice). Related: Capriciously; capriciousness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper