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
Andy Glass, the official Guinness World Records adjudicator, presented the achievement to Jeezy on stage.
—
Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
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
The Justice Department’s defense primarily rests on the notion that agency adjudicators like the Merit Systems Protection Board — not federal courts — must decide the disputes.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 15 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
Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
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
The Justice Department’s defense primarily rests on the notion that agency adjudicators like the Merit Systems Protection Board — not federal courts — must decide the disputes.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 15 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjudicator
Noun
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Eventually, another referee rushed to the ring, nearly giving Cena a pinfall win after a move.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Suspensions between eight and 12 months had been imposed on 149 officials, while investigations continue into three referees.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
He was released under the Obama administration with a notice to appear in court but never did, leading a federal immigration judge to order his deportation in absentia in 2012.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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The judges on Sunday included McIntosh's widow, Derotha McIntosh; Greg Henderson; Broadway Joe Booker; and Marty Ryall, the director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The game will feature the Poway Padres playing alongside members of the Poway Sheriff’s Station and the Poway Fire Department, with Mayor Steve Vaus and Poway City Council members serving as umpires.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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For the contemporary era, there are two separate ballots for players and managers, executives and umpires.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There, a mechanic began repairs on the car, but was ordered to stop because of the ongoing court arguments over the car.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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If the court accepts the case, oral arguments could be scheduled for the spring, with a possible decision by June.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicator. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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