arbitrary

/ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri/
adjective
  1. Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
    • She felt the dress code was arbitrary because it banned colors for no clear reason.
    • The list of winners seemed arbitrary — no one knew how they were chosen.
    • The arbitrary deadline made it impossible for the team to finish the project.
  2. Unreasonable or unfair because it is not based on facts, rules, or logic.
    • The teacher's arbitrary grading made students lose trust in the class.
    • An arbitrary tax increase without explanation angered the business owners.
    • The dictator's arbitrary arrests terrified the population.
What does "arbitrary" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean