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Arbitrary vs Autocratic - What's the difference?

arbitrary | autocratic |

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)
  • (usually, of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
  • 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.
  • Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.
  • "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)
  • (mathematics) Any and all possible.
  • The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
  • Determined by independent arbiter.
  • 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)
  • Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.
  • autocratic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to autocracy or to an autocrat; absolute; holding independent and arbitrary powers of government.
  • In recent times the British prime minister has become increasingly autocratic .
  • Of or pertaining to the manner of an autocrat.
  • Despite his lack of any actual authority his autocratic demeanour annoyed many of his colleagues.

    Synonyms

    * despotic * dictatorial