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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 arbiter Carr, who apparently reacted to Kimmel's suspension last week by sending a GIF of TV characters doing a celebratory dance to a journalist, yesterday described his role at the FCC as that of a dispassionate arbiter. Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 And right-wing politicians who accuse pro-Palestinian students of antisemitism are hardly credible arbiters. Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 Washington has the capacity to end Moscow’s claim to be the region’s arbiter—an instrument the Russians have used for years to try to exert control over both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025 But Carr’s intervention thrusts the FCC — and government — into a miscast role as the arbiter of truth. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
Noun
  • The referees put themselves in a spotlight with a few tough calls, but the Chiefs put themselves squarely in it, too.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The chaotic matchup saw referees call 65 penalties for 312 minutes, including 13 game misconducts.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump sends California guards to Oregon A federal judge this weekend ruled that the president could not deploy 200 Oregon National Guard troops in Portland so the president ordered hundreds of California National Guard troops to deploy there instead.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The judge did not rule on the facts of the case, but rather that the suit should have been filed in New Zealand and not Wisconsin.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As Varland bounced off the mound, fans behind the plate mimicked the umpire’s strikeout call.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • However, as the umpires left Wrigley Field on the first-base side — through the Padres' dugout — several members of San Diego had to be held back after going crazy on the men in black.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to public records, Carpinello has also served as an arbitrator in BLA disputes with Minnesota Twins pitcher Génesis Cabrera and former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman José Osuna.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala said the arbitrator deciding the police union's contract was selected through a process involving input from both the union and the city, from a list of possible arbitrators provided by the state.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on arbiter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!