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

• broker
• buffer
• conciliator
• go-between
• honest broker
• interceder
• intercessor
• intermediary
• intermediate
• interposer
• mediator
• peacemaker

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

Skip the middleman and devise your own romantic tale. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Angara’s high-quality jewelry inventory is more accessible and more affordable, thanks to the brand cutting out the middleman. —Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 7 May 2025

But in this business, the middlemen are particularly conspicuous. —Zainab Usman, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025

These middlemen cut deals with drugmakers for rebates, then keep some of the savings. —Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1677, 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