capriciously
Meaning: In an unpredictable, impulsive manner driven by sudden changes of mood or behaviour rather than rational thought.
Capriciously suggests fickleness and unreliability, often applied to authority figures, markets, or weather. A judge who capriciously reverses rulings or a manager who capriciously changes priorities inspires neither confidence nor trust. The word is more literary than 'randomly' and implies a wilful changeability rather than mere chance. It appears in legal criticism, literary reviews, and political commentary.
Examples
- The regulator has been accused of capriciously changing the rules midway through the licensing process. 该监管机构被指控在许可程序进行到一半时反复无常地变更规则。Se ha acusado al regulador de cambiar caprichosamente las normas a mitad del proceso de concesión de licencias.その規制当局は許認可手続きの途中で気まぐれにルールを変更したと非難された。해당 규제 당국은 인허가 절차 도중에 변덕스럽게 규칙을 변경했다는 비난을 받았다.
- British weather shifts capriciously between sunshine and downpour, sometimes within a single hour. 英国的天气在晴天和暴雨之间反复无常地变换,有时一个小时内就会如此。El tiempo británico cambia caprichosamente entre sol y chaparrón, a veces en el espacio de una sola hora.英国の天気は晴れと土砂降りの間を気まぐれに変化し、時にはわずか1時間の間に変わることもある。영국 날씨는 맑음과 폭우 사이를 변덕스럽게 오가며, 때로는 단 한 시간 만에 바뀌기도 한다.
- The monarch ruled capriciously, bestowing favour and punishment on courtiers with equal unpredictability. 那位君主喜怒无常地统治,对朝臣同样不可预测地施予恩宠和惩罚。El monarca gobernaba caprichosamente, dispensando favores y castigos a los cortesanos con igual imprevisibilidad.その君主は気まぐれに統治し、廷臣たちに等しく予測不能な恩寵と罰を与えた。그 군주는 변덕스럽게 통치하며, 신하들에게 똑같이 예측할 수 없는 은총과 처벌을 내렸다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, legal, journalism
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Italian capriccioso (whimsical), likely from capriccio (a sudden start), possibly derived from capra (goat) — evoking the unpredictable leaping of goats. Entered English via French in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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