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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Recent Examples of arbiter
The former journalist was also an arbiter of fashion, serving as one of the decision-makers for the International Best Dressed List.
—
Catherine Santino, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Their appearance could draw more attention than usual because of the court’s role as the final arbiter of the dozens of legal challenges mounted against Trump’s blizzard of early actions.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The independent arbiter who heard the case did not take media reports into account.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
What to watch: The semi-official arbiter of recessions is a committee of private academics at the National Bureau of Economic Research, though CEOs tend to call out signs of economic soft patches much sooner.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Catherine Santino, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Their appearance could draw more attention than usual because of the court’s role as the final arbiter of the dozens of legal challenges mounted against Trump’s blizzard of early actions.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The independent arbiter who heard the case did not take media reports into account.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
What to watch: The semi-official arbiter of recessions is a committee of private academics at the National Bureau of Economic Research, though CEOs tend to call out signs of economic soft patches much sooner.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
Noun
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The referees upgraded it from a minor due to the ‘degree of violence’ as per Rule 56.5, and upheld the original call after video review.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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James was hit in the face by Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, 30, in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Los Angeles' first-round playoff series, and stayed on the floor for several minutes as referees discussed the call.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That suit started in the same federal district court in Texas that first heard the latest challenge, which critics say shows opponents of Obamacare were looking for a friendly judge.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The Google hearing on Monday comes after a U.S. District Court judge in Virginia ruled against the company in another major case, saying the company illegally maintained a monopoly in some online advertising technology.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But when umpires came back with their response, the call on the field stood as a foul ball.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Both Durbin, 25, and the umpire made the call and Milwaukee Brewers fans went wild.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Negotiations for a new contract dragged on, with the SBA asking for an outside arbitrator to step in.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2025
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Meta won a legal victory on Wednesday against a former employee who published an explosive, tell-all memoir, as an arbitrator temporarily prohibited the author from promoting or further distributing copies.—
Mike Isaac,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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