middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌman 

: an intermediary or agent between two parties

especially : a dealer, agent, or company intermediate between the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer

Synonyms of middleman

• intermediary
• mediator
• broker
• negotiator
• liaison
• ambassador
• buffer

Examples of middleman in a Sentence

The Internet helps consumers save money by buying products directly from companies and eliminating the middleman.

We've cut out the middleman and can reduce prices for our customers.

He acted as the middleman in the talks between labor and management.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an ideal world, Blueger lines up as the middleman of an energetic fourth line that swallows up defensive-zone draws. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 23 June 2026

The court heard that Carpuic was a middleman tasked with facilitating payment — which never came — and recruiting someone to film the fires. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

In 14 states, a middleman company buys the power and competes to find customers, in effect providing households with a choice of electricity providers. — Conor Harrison, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Doyle bought the work for $775,000, spent part of the remaining money on a Ferrari, then claimed the painting had vanished after a middleman lost track of it following a drunken night out. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for middleman

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• minivan
• minuteman

Kids Definition

middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmid-ᵊl-ˌman 

: go-between

especially : a dealer between the producer of goods and the consumer