capriciousness

/kə'priʃəsnis/
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Thân thiện
capriciousness

The weather's capriciousness turned a sunny picnic into a hasty retreat under a sudden downpour.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The trait of acting unpredictably and more from whim or caprice than from reason or judgment: The quality of a person, decision, or process that is characterized by sudden, unaccountable, or erratic changes of mood, mind, or behavior.
    • The quality of being guided by sudden unpredictable impulses: A state of being governed by whims, fancies, or fleeting desires rather than by consistency, logic, or a steady purpose.
Usage and Examples
  • Noun:
    • The capriciousness of the weather made planning the outdoor event impossible.
    • Investors were frustrated by the capriciousness of the new regulations, which seemed to change without warning.
    • Her capriciousness as a manager made the team anxious, as they never knew what to expect.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • In Law and Governance: "Capriciousness" can describe an official action or decision that is arbitrary and not based on stable criteria or facts.
    • The court overturned the ruling due to its evident capriciousness.
  • In Character Description: It often implies a certain charming unpredictability but can also suggest unreliability.
    • While his capriciousness made him an exciting friend, it also made him an unreliable business partner.
Variants and Related Words
  • Capricious (adj): Prone to sudden, unpredictable changes.
    • The capricious winds made sailing dangerous.
  • Caprice (n): A sudden, unpredictable change, or a whimsical notion.
    • She bought the painting on a mere caprice.
Synonyms
  • Whimsicality: Playfully quaint or fanciful behavior, often charming.
  • Flightiness: Fickle and irresponsible changeability.
  • Fickleness: Frequent change, especially in loyalties or affections.
  • Impulsiveness: Acting suddenly without forethought.
  • Unpredictability: The inability to be foreseen or depended upon.
Antonyms
  • Consistency: Steadfast adherence to the same principles or course.
  • Steadiness: The quality of being regular, dependable, and unwavering.
  • Predictability: The ability to be expected or foreseen.
  • Constancy: The quality of being unchanging and reliable.
Idioms and Phrases
  • A creature of caprice: A person known for being whimsical and unpredictable.
    • The artist was known as a creature of caprice, often abandoning projects on a whim.
  • At the caprice of (something/someone): Subject to the unpredictable will of something.
    • The small boat was at the caprice of the stormy sea.
capriciousness

The weather's capriciousness turned a sunny picnic into a hasty retreat under a sudden downpour.

Noun
  1. the trait of acting unpredictably and more from whim or caprice than from reason or judgment
    • I despair at the flightiness and whimsicality of my memory
  2. the quality of being guided by sudden unpredictable impulses

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