1
as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
since they seemed to be in a hopeless stalemate, both labor and management agreed to use an independent adjudicator to decide the terms of the contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
the appellate court refused to hear the case, thus allowing the judgment of previous adjudicators to stand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of adjudicator
The judge prohibited redetention without notice and a hearing before a neutral adjudicator.
—
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The instructors at the Atomic Ballroom, based in Costa Mesa, led the dance record effort, giving a step-by-step instruction to those who showed up, the Guinness World Record adjudicator counting the crowd.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—Tassanee Vejpongsa, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Record-Breaking Moment The official attempt took place on the Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, with Guinness World Records adjudicator Sofia Greenacre overseeing the proceedings.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
Thomas Bradford is one of 81 adjudicators the company employs across six continents.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lahoud said the adjudicators follow a flowchart — and if the applicant meets the minimum criteria, the person can expect an approval notice to arrive within days.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In a video tour of his collection with a Guinness adjudicator, Kardinal shared some of the stories behind his snow globes, which are lined up on shelves filling multiple rooms of the basement of his home.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The instructors at the Atomic Ballroom, based in Costa Mesa, led the dance record effort, giving a step-by-step instruction to those who showed up, the Guinness World Record adjudicator counting the crowd.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—Tassanee Vejpongsa, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Record-Breaking Moment The official attempt took place on the Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, with Guinness World Records adjudicator Sofia Greenacre overseeing the proceedings.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
Thomas Bradford is one of 81 adjudicators the company employs across six continents.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lahoud said the adjudicators follow a flowchart — and if the applicant meets the minimum criteria, the person can expect an approval notice to arrive within days.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In a video tour of his collection with a Guinness adjudicator, Kardinal shared some of the stories behind his snow globes, which are lined up on shelves filling multiple rooms of the basement of his home.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjudicator
Noun
-
Cardoso still struggled at times to utilize her physicality effectively, especially as the WNBA adjusts to new referee guidelines for the season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog was on top of Wallstedt when the puck was poked in by Nathan MacKinnon, but the referee on the scene noted that Landeskog was put there by a check from Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt, so the goal stood.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
That same week, a Cook County judge agreed to postpone a hearing centered on Ford City’s closure until May 15 after some of the mall’s 16 remaining tenants complained.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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During their unsuccessful electoral campaign to defeat the new maps, Republicans highlighted the legal confusion around the vote and urged judges to stop it.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Story wasn’t happy after being plunked in the numbers, and plate umpire Adam Beck stepped between him and the mound.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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But Graham Pauley lined out to right for the second out; the second-base umpire ruled Caissie was thrown out at second on the play, but that call was reversed on replay.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicator. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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