arbiter

noun

ˈär-bə-tər How to pronounce arbiter (audio)
Definition of arbiternext
as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy the dean of student affairs is the proper arbiter when a student disputes a grade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arbiter Known as the ultimate arbiter of American design and the pioneer of American Country, Sister Parish ushered in a new phase of design with Albert Hadley in 1962. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 The move publicly challenges the accuracy of the state’s death determinations in an extraordinary move that breaks precedent that states are the arbiters of case and death determinations, not the CDC. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 After six months of war, the deadlock has left the Islamic Republic bitterly divided, while its ultimate arbiter, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, remains in hiding. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Two of the arbiters accompanied Espada to the pitcher’s mound, where Brown handed Espada the baseball. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
  1. referee
  2. judge
  3. umpire
  4. arbitrator
Noun
  • Five players and the referee tried to catch it, Steph recalled, while its owner sobbed on the sidelines.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona’s Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota’s Eric Wilson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of referee
Noun
  • But in 2025, Congress eliminated that tax — and in early August, a federal judge in Texas ruled that without it, those other measures for extra vetting were unconstitutional, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The same isn’t true if the NCAA wins, since athletes elsewhere can still try their luck with judges near them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of judge
Noun
  • Sun appeared about to win the point when Gauff stopped playing, but the chair umpire then ordered the point to be replayed.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Friends described him as a dedicated father, business owner and active member of the Severna Park community who served as a Little League umpire and youth sports coach.
    — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of umpire
Noun
  • If the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) organizes a private school, and contract talks stall, a federal arbitrator would write the first contract.
    — Mailee Smith, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The groups still await a resolution in the separate, district court case, in which the casino also challenged an arbitrator’s decision in the dispute.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrator

Browse Nearby Words

arable
arbiter
arbiters
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Cite this Entry

“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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