Need help finding the right word to use.

In My Humble Opinion
1

Not sure if this should go in “general questions” or not, so apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I need help with trying to find the right word. It’s not a very common word, but most educated people would know what it meant if they heard it.

Lets say that you’re going thru security at an airport and the TSA agent notices that you have a bottle of OJ and says that you are not allowed to have it, due to the “no liquid” rule. So, you produce a note from your doctor stating that it’s medically necessary, and you are allowed thru with it. But, the TSA agent doesn’t like your attitude and decides that you need a body search, not because he suspects that you have any contraband, but because he just wants to inconvenience you a bit and show you who’s boss. The word is also used to describe something that is not illegal (or against the rules), but is often scrutinized anyway. I think the word ends with an “ry”. Similar words might be obligitory, retaliatory…but these are not the words I’m looking for. “I received a(n) [insert word] pat-down, even though I had all of the correct documents.”

Any help appreciated.

Eric

2

Arbitrary?

3

I would see this as spiteful more than anything. But I’m not too sure if that’s what you’re looking for.

And, I’m not a big fan of Mad Libs by any means, but your post has lots of potential. :slight_smile:

4

An aside – I really like Roget’s International Thesaurus for this kind of thing. (I have an earlier version of this one). Rather than just listing synonyms, it groups words according to idea. So if you start somewhere in the ballpark of the word you think you want, you can usually browse around in the same general idea category until you find it.

Speaking of which, I probably need to get a new one. Mine is 20 years old now. Damn.

5

‘Vindictive’ sounds greaty. ‘Petty’, also.

6

Ding Ding Ding!! That’s it!! Thank you!!!

Why is it that when I can’t think of a word, I can often remember that it starts with a specific letter or a specific number of syllables, or rhymes with another word? Am I the only one who does that?

7

Whaaa? That’s not what arbitrary means. You want something like “punitive” or “spiteful”. “Arbitrary” suggests that he did it on a whim or that he has the sole authority to do it, not that he did it with intent to spite you.

8

Nope, I also end up groping for the right word sometimes with the same type of recollections.

9

But if the rules allow for an arbitrary action, that action is available to be used in a punitive or spiteful way.

10

I would have gone with “retributory,” myself.

11

Maybe “capricious.”

12

No, guys. I think it ends in -gry. No, not that one. Not that one either. The third one.

13

Crudités?
Kidding, kidding. I’d also go with punitive.

14

Yes, but it doesn’t demand it. Those words are not synonyms, and thus, only one can be appropriate to express the OP’s idea.

15

Yeah punitive, if as the OP writes: *
'…the TSA agent doesn’t like your attitude and decides that you need a body search, not because he suspects that you have any contraband, but because he just wants to inconvenience you a bit and show you who’s boss."*

16

Here is a list of 1,575 words ending in “ry”

Failing that, consider “oppression under color of office.”