Arbitrary vs Autocratic - What's the difference?
arbitrary | autocratic |
(usually, of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.
(mathematics) Any and all possible.
Determined by independent arbiter.
Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.
Of or pertaining to autocracy or to an autocrat; absolute; holding independent and arbitrary powers of government.
Of or pertaining to the manner of an autocrat.
As adjectives the difference between arbitrary and autocratic
is that arbitrary is based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random while autocratic is of or pertaining to autocracy or to an autocrat; absolute; holding independent and arbitrary powers of government.As a noun arbitrary
is anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.arbitrary
English
Adjective
(arbitrariness) (en adjective)- Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary . In fact, electrons flow in the opposite direction to conventional current.
- The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary , as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
- "The Russian trials were Stalin's purges, with which he attempted to consolidate his power. Like most people in the West, I believed these show trials to be the arbitrary acts of a cruel dictator." (
Max Born, Letters to Einstein
)
- The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
- To secure food safety, there should first be a national standard to arbitrarily state what is wholesome and what is not; second, the final buyer should know exactly what he is purchasing. (
The World's Work ...: a history of our time
)
Noun
(arbitraries)External links
* *autocratic
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- In recent times the British prime minister has become increasingly autocratic .
- Despite his lack of any actual authority his autocratic demeanour annoyed many of his colleagues.