as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
the dean of student affairs is the proper arbiter when a student disputes a grade
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbiter
Given the monitoring of mining’s opponents highlighted in the records, experts raised questions about authorities’ role: Is the government there to support industrial development, protect civil liberties or act as an unbiased arbiter?
—
Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 23 July 2025
On the matter of the 👍, the arbiters of our own arena—internet-savvy young adults—have rendered their verdict: The 👍 is no longer definitive.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
Trading card collectors and dealers largely view grading as the ultimate arbiter of the condition and value of the card.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 20 June 2025
There’s a very strong argument to be made for parents being the final arbiters of medical decisions for their children, says Brianna Wu, a Boston-area computer software engineer and public advocate for transgender rights.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 23 July 2025
On the matter of the 👍, the arbiters of our own arena—internet-savvy young adults—have rendered their verdict: The 👍 is no longer definitive.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
Trading card collectors and dealers largely view grading as the ultimate arbiter of the condition and value of the card.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 20 June 2025
There’s a very strong argument to be made for parents being the final arbiters of medical decisions for their children, says Brianna Wu, a Boston-area computer software engineer and public advocate for transgender rights.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
Noun
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The frustration was evident almost immediately after the referee blew the whistle to end the game, giving the San Diego Wave yet another draw — this time a 1-1 tie with rival Angel City.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Aug. 2025
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The referee, trailing well behind the transition attack, didn’t even move to whistle the foul, but a VAR review was initiated and the penalty was eventually given.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration’s decision to override the opinion of the New Jersey judges and keep Habba on as U.S. attorney has sparked new legal challenges.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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So far during Trump’s second term, the Justices have made a string of emergency rulings in the President’s favor, blessing the chaos that Trump himself unleashed, and with little regard for the work of lower-court judges.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Because the audio wasn’t working, chair umpire Fergus Murphy called it a fault.—
Lukas Weese,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
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She’s scheduled to be a base umpire for the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins game on Saturday.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Records obtained by the Journal Sentinel show the two sides appear far apart in their wants, according to contract offers submitted to a state arbitrator.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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In its ruling, the 8th Circuit said the arbitrators strayed beyond the contract's clear terms.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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