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

Brokers essentially act as middlemen between investors and the financial markets. — Elizabeth Gravier,dan Avery, CNBC, 16 July 2026

On Medicare, Congress needs to get serious about the large portion of costs driven up by drug companies, private insurers, and medical industry middlemen. — Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

In other instances, Warrick said, there will be ghost carriers or fraudulent pickups of drivers or middlemen posing as legitimate transporters, but who are really smugglers. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 July 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