arbitrary

Universal Words adjective 1 (of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair: The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary. * He makes unpredictable, arbitrary decisions. 2 (formal) using power without restriction and without considering other people: the arbitrary powers of officials arbitrarily adverb: The leaders of the groups were chosen arbitrarily. * The political frontiers in Africa were often arbitrarily drawn up by the old colonial powers. arbitrariness noun [U]: Court officials were suspected of arbitrariness and personal bias.