capriciousness

American  

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

noun

1. the quality of being led by or subject to sudden, odd notions or changes; arbitrary or erratic character.

   Some countries have gone to great lengths to build up a war chest of reserves to insure against the capriciousness of foreign investors.

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Other Word Forms

• noncapriciousness noun
• uncapriciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of capriciousness

First recorded in 1600–10; capricious ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

They include the rule of law and a lack of regulatory capriciousness in the U.S.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Few who work in immigration law are surprised by the story; the capriciousness of America’s broken immigration system seems to be the rule, not the exception.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2023

But “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” a madcap comedy that had no presence on the Tony Awards, was up even more — 22 percent — serving as a reminder of the capriciousness of grosses.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2023

Xi has his own experience with the capriciousness of party justice.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2022

Strangely enough, I very nearly caught the essence of teenage capriciousness as I played the role.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Related Words

• anxiety
• fluctuation
• insecurity
• uncertainty
• volatility
• vulnerability
• weakness