1
as in judges
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
Relevance
2
as in courts
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adjudicators
The competition included 23 players who supplied preliminary video performances; adjudicators selected 12 finalists.
—
Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 6 May 2026
The department disputes that, saying judges are independent adjudicators who decide cases individually.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 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
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
Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 6 May 2026
The department disputes that, saying judges are independent adjudicators who decide cases individually.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 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
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 adjudicators
Noun
-
Two judges previously told The Times that Draper spent the last three years relegated to a room at the Santa Monica Courthouse without a computer or caseload.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
As is traditional at tattoo conventions, each day of the Capitol City Classic wraps up with a tattoo competition, with judges awarding prizes to artwork in various styles.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The government has argued that, regardless of the circumstances, the DHS secretary's discretionary decision to revoke TPS can't be reviewed or second guessed by the courts.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
That's not to mention the aquatic center, racquetball courts, indoor turf field and even social spaces.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
During first-half stoppage time, Rezaeian’s free kick was headed home by Ali Nemati, but Nemati was clearly offside and the goal was waived off by the referees.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Adidas has also outfitted World Cup referees since 1978, but this is the first time its trademark three-stripe design has been prominently featured on referee uniforms.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Fights between managers and umpires.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
-
But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicators. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
