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
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Recent Examples of adjudicator
But to be qualified to be a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars is not the same as being an adjudicator in the ballroom world.
—
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
In recent months, EOIR leadership has criticized judges for not efficiently managing their caseloads, and has encouraged adjudicators to streamline asylum reviews and give oral, as opposed to written, decisions on case dismissals.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Edlow told The Associated Press that the guidance was intended to identify support for terrorist ideologies—not to penalize ordinary political criticism—when adjudicators evaluated applicants for green cards and other benefits.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This led to many longtime employees of companies leaving the United States when USCIS adjudicators rejected their H-1B applications.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Under the plans, an independent body of adjudicators would be created to handle asylum appeals and reduce the backlog of 106,000 cases, including 51,000 appeals with average wait times exceeding a year.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records was onsite, according to the lottery.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Similarly, the program still has eight adjudicators, known as special masters, to review all cases before the government.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
In recent months, EOIR leadership has criticized judges for not efficiently managing their caseloads, and has encouraged adjudicators to streamline asylum reviews and give oral, as opposed to written, decisions on case dismissals.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Edlow told The Associated Press that the guidance was intended to identify support for terrorist ideologies—not to penalize ordinary political criticism—when adjudicators evaluated applicants for green cards and other benefits.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This led to many longtime employees of companies leaving the United States when USCIS adjudicators rejected their H-1B applications.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Under the plans, an independent body of adjudicators would be created to handle asylum appeals and reduce the backlog of 106,000 cases, including 51,000 appeals with average wait times exceeding a year.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records was onsite, according to the lottery.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Similarly, the program still has eight adjudicators, known as special masters, to review all cases before the government.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjudicator
Noun
-
Beloved referee Charles Robinson shared some personal news on his Instagram account.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
That was news to Steratore, the former NFL referee.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Then, the three-judge Ninth Circuit panel on October 20 issued a stay on Immergut’s first restraining order — a ruling that could have paved the way for a deployment as the legal battle played out.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The guest of honor Sunday was Scott, who stood in the road across Kavanaugh to serve as the event's honorary judge.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Vitello himself was suspended four games by the NCAA for chest-bumping an umpire during an argument in 2022.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The umpire called Robinson safe, while Berra animatedly disagreed.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Wuornos pawned Carskaddon's gun, per court records reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In a Wednesday afternoon ruling, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted their request, meaning Bovino did not make an appearance in court Wednesday.—
Devan Cole,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicator. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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