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
Relevance
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
Trump’s tariff war, for example, has accelerated de-dollarization by making the United States an unreliable arbiter of the global economy.
—
Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
This message is sent deep inside the brain to the amygdala, a tiny bundle of nerves that serves as our chief arbiter of curiosity and avoidance.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
Collectors long ago replaced curators and critics as arbiters of artistic value, and more people today will hear about the Klimt price than will ever see a Klimt in real life.
—Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 28 Nov. 2025
For decades, many Orthodox Jews have looked to Israel’s Orthodox rabbinate as the arbiter of religious authenticity.
—Michal Raucher, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
This message is sent deep inside the brain to the amygdala, a tiny bundle of nerves that serves as our chief arbiter of curiosity and avoidance.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
Collectors long ago replaced curators and critics as arbiters of artistic value, and more people today will hear about the Klimt price than will ever see a Klimt in real life.
—Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 28 Nov. 2025
For decades, many Orthodox Jews have looked to Israel’s Orthodox rabbinate as the arbiter of religious authenticity.
—Michal Raucher, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
Noun
-
The Broncos offered video evidence showing Oden, a senior forward, committing five fouls — and referee David Walker making the wrong hand signal to the official scorer on his third, assigning it to sophomore forward Pharaoh Compton instead.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Newcastle had a penalty chance of their own waved away just before the break, with referee Michael Salisbury booking Joelinton for simulation.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The judge also sentenced him to five years of supervised release and imposed a $500,000 fine against him — the maximum fine allowable.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
An interpreter translated the judge's comments for Nino-Moncada.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The league will debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System to check the accuracy of umpires’ pitch calls.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Schaaf also makes a cameo in the film as the final match’s umpire — a last-minute surprise.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
An arbitration hearing enables the Royals and a player — including his agent and attorney — to have a panel of neutral arbitrators determine the value of the player’s contract for the coming season (in this case, 2026).—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ryan’s 2026 salary will likely be settled by a panel by arbitrators in the coming weeks.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
