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
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
Decker, in another YouTube video, set the record for the most pizza restaurants visited in New York City in 24 hours, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator at his side.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 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
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
Decker, in another YouTube video, set the record for the most pizza restaurants visited in New York City in 24 hours, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator at his side.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjudicator
Noun
-
Referee Dan Schachner, a longtime referee, will oversee the action.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Shawn Smith, who has worked as an NFL official for 11 seasons, will be the referee for Super Bowl LX.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The plaintiffs argue that the way the government operates the dams violates the Endangered Species Act, and over decades of litigation judges have repeatedly ordered changes to help the fish.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The judge has not yet ruled on the defense motion to change venue.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By the time the umpire relocated to the offensive backfield, the play clock was under five seconds, and Denver’s operation was under stress.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Smith’s crew is set to include Roy Ellison (umpire), Eugene Hall (side judge), Greg Steed (back judge), Dana McKenzie (down judge), Julian Mapp (line judge), Jason Ledet (field judge) and Andrew Lambert (replay official).—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The case was settled out of court in 2022, with Andrew admitting no wrongdoing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
During a hearing in Utah court on Tuesday, Robinson’s lawyers questioned Utah County Attorney General Jeffrey Gray, Grunander, and Grunander’s daughter.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicator. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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