fact finder

noun

Synonyms of fact findernext
: one that tries to determine the realities of a case, situation, or relationship
especially : an impartial examiner designated by a government agency to appraise the facts underlying a particular matter (such as a labor dispute)
fact-finding noun or adjective

Examples of fact finder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Officials at both districts point to the fact that their current offers to their unions are in line with the recommendations of an independent fact finder and that ceding to union demands would mean major programming cuts for students. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026 Under the umpires’ collective bargaining agreement, Hoberg had the right to appeal Hill’s decision, triggering the hiring by MLB of a neutral fact finder who made a report to Manfred. Ronald Blum, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025 Under the labor contract, Hoberg had the right to appeal Hill’s decision, triggering MLB’s hiring of a neutral fact finder who made a report to Manfred. Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 Defense attorneys did not present any witnesses during the preliminary examination, which is common in these kinds of hearings; a judge serves as the sole fact finder and decider of whether criminal charges are sufficient to head toward a jury trial. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024 The fact finders visited several sites related to the massacres in which Hamas slaughtered about 1,200 people and took roughly 250 others hostage. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2024 The fact finder can make recommendations, but does not have authority to bind the sides to a contract. David Jesse, Detroit Free Press, 5 Sep. 2022 North Royalton Finance Director Eric Dean said the firefighters union has also accepted the fact finder’s terms. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 12 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fact finder was in 1926

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Cite this Entry

“Fact finder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fact%20finder. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Legal Definition

factfinder

noun
fact·​find·​er
ˈfakt-ˌfīn-dər
: one that tries to determine the facts of a case, situation, or relationship: as
a
: an impartial examiner designated by a government agency to appraise the facts underlying a particular matter (as a labor dispute)

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